Suzanne McCrary Grapel of Inverness, FL, passed away Monday, May 4, 2020, at Citrus Memorial Hospital at the age of 86. Suzanne was born September 10, 1933 to the late Mary Monday McCrary and Samuel Clyde McCrary in Knoxville, TN.
She grew up in Knoxville where she graduated from Knoxville High School and the University of Tennessee in fine arts. She taught art in elementary schools in Oak Ridge and Kingsport, TN, and in Homestead, FL, for 46 years.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia McCrary Rose. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Arnold Christian Grapel, her cousin Jim Giffin, Birmingham, AL, and many friends and sorority sisters.
After retiring, she and Arnold moved to Inverness where they were active members of Fort Cooper Baptist and then New Testament Baptist Church in Floral City. As a very talented artist, she continued to enjoy painting beautiful pictures in her studio at home until she died.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted on Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM from the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Pastor Clarence Helms and Ledford Hodges officiating. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum of Fero Memorial Gardens on Saturday at 10:00 AM. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the hour of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to: Hope Children’s Home, 11415 Hope International Drive, Tampa, FL 33625
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