A celebration of the life of
Grace C. Zimmitt will occur on
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Viewing 09:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Service 11:00 a.m.
North Philadelphia Seventh
Day Adventist Church
1510 W. Oxford Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Interment: Fernwood Cemetery
OBITUARY
GRAYCE HOWARD ZIMMITT presented herself to the world on August 21,
1932. She was the first-born of the late Mary and Leroy Howard. Her
brother Joseph, affectionately called Jack, was born two years later,
completing the family circle.
Her mother was a member of the Mt. Olivet Seventh-day Adventist Church
in Camden, New Jersey. GRAYCE attended the Mt. Olivet Elementary
School and from there she matriculated to Pine Forge Academy in Pine
Forge, Pennsylvania. GRAYCE graduated in 1949 as a member of the first
graduating class from the Academy. GRAYCE and the members of the
Pine Forge Academy graduating class of 1949 were recently honored at
the Allegheny East Conference Campmeeting.
GRAYCE later attended classes at Howard University, but was later
encouraged to major in Music at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama.
Later she continued her education and acquired her Doctorate degree.
GRAYCE met the love of her life, George Zimmitt Sr. and on August 21,
1953 they were married. She said that George was “such a lovable guy to
his family and friends”. GRAYCE described George as the wind beneath
her wings. To their union were born three sons: George Jr., Gilbert and
Gordon and one daughter, Maryanne. GRAYCE stated that she would
always be grateful for her family who brought her so much joy.
GRAYCE was employed at the U.S. Veterans Administration, the
Pentagon, and the Internal Revenue Service before her many years as a
Music Teacher with the School District of Philadelphia and the Wynnefield
Prep Academy.
Music always played an important part in GRAYCE’S life. While a young
student at Mt. Olivet Church School her memory of her teacher, Mrs. Vera
Braxton stands out as the person who gave her piano lessons and inspired
her to have an appreciation for the Hymns, Sacred Music and especially
Handel’s “Messiah”. Mrs. Braxton saw something special in GRAYCE and
applied for a scholarship on her behalf to attend the Julliard Conservatory
of Music, a world renown private performing arts conservatory in New York
City. In her written Memoir, GRAYCE wrote that music afforded her many
opportunities to be a blessing.
Anyone who knew GRAYCE knew she had an outstanding personality.
She was fun-loving, friendly, totally unselfish and she was always helpful.
She was truly the epitome of “Amazing Grace”.
Even though GRAYCE had been an asthmatic all her life, she knew that
the Lord had a special work for her. She pressed on knowing that “Had it
not been for the Lord on her side, where would she be?”
GRAYCE devoted her time to many Church Ministries and especially to
Prison Ministry. It was through Prison Ministry that she met her special
friend, Romel Holley, who she lovingly referred to as her “Sister”. She
called Romel and her sister Janet “her Angels” when she came out of the
hospital needing T.L.C. (Tender Loving Care).
Along the way, GRAYCE formed a group called “Grayce Unlimited” a
gospel singing group that also featured poetry, acting, art and directing. In
her words, “Whether the crowd was small (hundreds) or large (thousands),
her Music Ministry would be there to be a blessing.” From Nursing Homes,
Churches, Prisons, Banquet Halls, Worship Services, or Cruise Ships, she
and those who ministered with her counted it all “Joy”. Women’s Ministry,
Prison Ministry and her own groups blessed her with the pleasure of
traveling to Spain, France, Bermuda, Switzerland, the U.S. Virgin Islands
and many other places. GRAYCE has served as a Pianist for a myriad of
Churches in the Philadelphia and New Jersey areas. She always said, “I
have so much to thank God for”.
GRAYCE’S family extends beyond the natural realm because she touched
and inspired so many lives in her giftedness. They are too numerous to
name, but the personal commitment and genuine love for her God and her
fellowman along with the friendships that GRAYCE shared will serve as her
living legacy.
GRAYCE was preceded in death by her husband George Sr., her brother
Joseph (Jack) Howard, her son, Gilbert and her daughter Maryanne.
GRAYCE leaves to cherish her memory: her sons, George (Sandra) and
Gordon; her Godchild, Tanisha Pride; her Caregiver, April Zimmitt, a
Granddaughter who lovingly cared for her until her demise; and a host
of grands, great-grands, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Acknowledgement of Special Friends
Romel Holley
Janet Foy
Stephen Patterson
Waverly Alston
Classmate Gloria Davis
Carolyn Sims Nesbitt
Lovingly and Sorrowfully Submitted,
The Family
