Grace was born July 14, 1938, in Greensburg, Indiana, to Louise and Leroy Smith. She was the first member of her family to attend college, graduated from Ball State University in 1959, and started her career as a teacher in Bainbridge, Indiana.
During the summer of 1959, while working at Cummins in Columbus, Indiana, Grace met Jesse Larry Marshall. On their third date, Grace accepted Larry's proposal, and they were married for over 40 years until Larry passed away in 2001.
Grace was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother of her family. She is survived by her children, Shari, of Columbus, Indiana; Eric (Julia) of Chicago, Illinois; and Stan (Wendy); and grandchildren, Jesse and Brooke, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. She was extremely proud of her family and loved to share stories about Jesse and Brooke's many accomplishments and escapades. Grace had many friends and embraced her children's friends. She treated them with love and was loved by many who considered her part of their family. Grace was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth and is also survived by siblings Frank, Jean, Mary, Lois, and Kathy.
Grace was a leader in the community of Canton, Connecticut, where she and Larry raised their family. She was a teacher at Canton High School for many years. During her time in Connecticut, she obtained her master's degree and was the proud author of two textbooks that were adopted nationwide and influenced keyboarding education.
After retiring, Grace and Larry returned to Columbus to care for their parents. Grace was a frequent volunteer at First Baptist Church, where she contributed in a wide range of roles. She was very skilled at cross-stitch and created many beautiful keepsakes, and enjoyed knitting, sewing, collecting thimbles, and researching Smith and Marshall genealogy.
During retirement she traveled widely, visiting Stan, Wendy, Jesse, and Brooke many times in London and Plymouth, Eric and Julia in Chicago and Wisconsin, and Shari in Switzerland, New Zealand, and Australia. She made her last international trip to Australia in December 2019, when a three month-visit was extended to six during the COVID lockdown. When she returned home, she enjoyed frequent visits with family and neighbors.
A funeral service for Grace will be held Tuesday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at Myers-Reed Chapel (3729 25th Street Columbus, Indiana) with Pastor Bill Griffith officiating. Burial will follow at Garland Brook Cemetery. Friends may gather for visitation on Monday, April 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, and on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Grace's name may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or First Baptist Church of Columbus.
To share a fond memory of Grace or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.Myers-Reed.com.
Myers-Reed Chapel is assisting the Marshall family.
