Grace Eileen Lingerfelt

Grace Eileen Sawyer Lingerfelt was born on April 16, 1937, in Martinsville, Indiana, and spent her childhood in Grand Ledge, Michigan before moving to Miami, Florida. After marrying her soulmate, and husband for 56 years, Clinton Harvey Lingerfelt, she worked tirelessly as a mother to ensure her four children had everything they could ever need.  Later, when her adult children were in college, she enrolled in college courses for herself, as she was always committed to the pursuit of knowledge.  Not long after raising her own children, Grace helped take care of her seven granddaughters, who affectionately called her “Gam”.  During summers and after school, Grace’s home became known as Camp Sunny to her granddaughters because she would tirelessly help them put on plays, create home movies, bake cookies, and practice dance moves. Grace had a one-in-a-million combination of qualities as she was incredibly loving, kind, courageous, brilliant and witty, intellectually curious, funny, selfless, faithful, warm, generous, and a trusted confidante. Well into her senior years, Grace was the connecting force for her family, hosting weekly family dinners, every holiday, and every birthday party for each of her family members.  Everyone who knew Grace wanted to get close to her to feel her warmth and kindness. Grace’s greatest love was her family and close circle of extended relatives and there was nothing she would not do to take care of her beloved family.  Grace was a sports history buff, avid Miami football fan, and loved engaging in robust political conversations.  Grace is survived by her sons (Kent and Greg), her daughter-in-law and sons-in-law (Lauri, Kit, and Ben), her siblings (Harold, Betty Lou, and Rosie), her adoring granddaughters (April, Heather, Christine, Jenna, Megan, Brooke, and Gracie), her great-grandchildren (Connor, Lily, Lanie, Charley, and Blakely) and her much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Grace is preceded in death by her husband (Clint), son (Clint, Jr.), and daughter (Valerie).  Grace was the life of the party and made everyone’s life better for having known her, the world is a better place because she was in it.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given in memory of Grace to the Wounded Warrior Project or the ALS Foundation.