Obituary of Julia Evelyn Grandberry

Julia Evelyn Grandberry passed away at the age of 85 on May 26, 2018, peacefully in her home in Decatur Michigan.

Julia is survived by her 12 children, Antonio Thomas of Kalamazoo, Vivian McMiller and Pearl Wade of Niles, Lurvenia Bell of Decatur, Trezevant Bell of South Bend, Vanita and Darren Reese of Three Rivers, Joan and Diane Reese of Kalamazoo,  Darinda Brumfield of Centerville, John L. Reese of Holland, and Beverly Reese of Nashville; siblings, Juanita Rose, Ivory E. Grandberry and 

Arnavell Grandberry of Chicago and  Herbert M. Davis of Kalamazoo. Julia has a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great, grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  Julia is preceded in death by parents Verma Davis and I. V. Grandberry; children Julie, Shane, Loleta, Howard and Wilbert.

Born January 2, 1933 in Chicago Illinois, she was the daughter of Verma Davis and I. V. Grandberry. As a child, her parents taught her the importance of being independent and self-reliant. So after receiving her education, she went on to receive her cosmetology license and was the proud owner of Julia’s Snack Shop, a restaurant in Chicago IL. Julia married twice and continued to raise her children in Chicago until relocating to Michigan. After moving to Three Rivers in the mid 70’s, she met her companion, John Reese. Together they raised their children as a blended family, until his untimely death many years later.  During this time, Julia purchased 10 acres of land in Decatur, MI. This land purchase is what she was most proud of and often talked about the independence and comfort ability that it gave her. On that land is where generation after generation of her family created some of the most powerful memories. Memories that will forever keep them connected to her in spirit and in love. Julia’s children remember her as a strong, driven no nonsense mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals and be independent. As she always said, “God bless the child that’s got his own.”