Obituary of LaGrant Clarrett

LaGrant Clarrett, Jr. was born to LaGrant and Julia Clarrett on November 11, 1933. He was one of three children: Earnestine [who preceded him in death], LaGrant, and Lamar. His father later remarried and had children, allowing LaGrant to have five more siblings: Renee, Gwendolyn, Mercedes, Michelle, and Tamara. LaGrant graduated high school with an academic diploma. He then entered the U.S. Air Force, serving four years, as a clerk/typist, where he was stationed in Korea. In 1953, LaGrant became employed with U.S. Customs, and was employed there for forty two years. There he was called Lee. He retired in 1995, as Senior Custom Inspector. In 1958, LaGrant met Wilhelmina Gertrude Smith [Gert] at Choir rehearsal at Greater St. Luke AME Church, where he was also a member of the usher board and the financial secretary. He heard some good things about her, so after rehearsal, he asked, "Who's Wilhelmina?" She stood up and said, "I'm Wilhelmina." That was their first encounter. They married on May 30, 1959. She called her husband Grant and he called her Gert. Through their union, they raised four children: Sherrlyn [Desi], Latrelle, Eric, and Sharon [Dionne]. When Grant wasn't working, he loved to listen to 'his jazz'. He loved classic jazz; not modern, but "real jazz", as he called it. He would sit for hours listening to the various artist in his collection of hundreds of albums and CDs. Along with his music collection, he had an prodigious book collection, to be envied. Grant would not just buy books, he read each one of them. He loved to read and educate himself. The Word of God says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." [2 Timothy 2:15] That's what Grant did. He studied everything, to find the truth, from history to current events; but more than that, he studied God's Word. Get in a conversation with him, and you will see that he has been studying the Bible and what was meant by that particular verse. He did his exegesis. Grant was a little bit of a joker and a true teaser, which he passed on to some of his children. At 7:00pm, during the weekdays, you would find Grant watching one of his favorite shows, Jeopardy. He was known for answering most every question correctly; but, he never tried to become a contestant, even after much encouragement. Grant loved knowledge and, although he was a quiet man, you would find him holding long intellectual conversations. He was a thinking man and played the thinking man's game of Chess for most of his life, teaching some of his children and his son-in-law, to play. He also enjoyed completing crossword puzzles. Although Grant accepted Jesus as his Savior, he was not a member of any local church, but he watched Dr. Frederick Price consistently. He wasn't a member of a church but was, rather is a member of 'The Church.' This quiet, humble, intelligent man, who loved to tease, truly loved his family. He sacrificed for them to provide all he was able. He listened to their dreams and concerns, while giving his support. On Sunday morning, September 13, 2015, LaGrant Clarrett, Jr. left this world the way he lived in it, quietly. His wife and son were by his side. He leaves to cherish his life and memories: his wife, Gert; children: Sherrlyn (Tubosun), Latrelle (James), Eric (Mary), and Dionne; Siblings: Lamar, Renee, Gwendolyn, Mercedes, Michelle, and Tamara; Grandchildren: Ron, Kerisha, Brianna N., James, Justin, Jasmine, Terrence, Marchael, Brianna C., and Brittney; many great grandchildren, cousins, nephews, nieces, and a host of friends.