Submitted by: Dan Rich

Grace Mae Ivory

March 29, 1926 - Jan. 4, 2006

South Bend Tribune 1/13/2006

Grace Mae Ivory, 79, was born in Farrell, Pennsylvania, on March 29, 1926, to William and Sadie Wood. Grace was the oldest of five children. At an early age the family moved to South Bend, Indiana. As a child, Grace was active, creative, rough and lovable, all at the same time. Grace received her education through the South Bend School Corporation. Grace lost her parents at an early age and became the mother figure for her younger siblings.

Grace met the love of her life, Eddie Lee Ivory, in 1945. They were married on November 1, 1947. They were married over 51 years. Eddie Ivory preceded her in death in August 1999. From this union they have one daughter, Sheila Ann Holley, a son-in-law, Clifton Holley Sr., who preceded her in death, and one grandson, Clifton Holley Jr.

Grace worked for the University of Notre Dame from 1966 until her retirement in 1991. But Grace had worked for so long she just couldn't stay home, so she took a part-time job with Claeys Candy where she worked until her illness in August 2005.

Grace enjoyed cooking and baking, and loved to read the Bible. Grace was always ready to have fun with family and friends. She enjoyed walking around the track at Notre Dame with her retired friends, and going for energy drinks after a long walk. Grace relocated to Lancaster, California, in August 2005 to be with her daughter, Sheila, and grandson, Clifton Jr. Grace passed away peacefully on January 4, 2006, at 9 p.m. in Cedar Sinai Hospital, West Hollywood, California.

Grace leaves loving and cherished memories in the heart of her daughter, Sheila Holley, and grandson, Clifton Holley Jr. of Lancaster, California; her brother, Moses O. Wood of Flint, Michigan; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Cleo and Rose Ivory of South Bend; her aunt, Edith Douglas of South Bend, Indiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Mrs. Grace Ivory will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan 14, in the Greater St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 101 N. Adams St., South Bend. Visitation will be one hour before services. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.