Herman Grant

Viewing will be held on Friday October 27, 2017 from 4:00 PM until a Twilight Musical Tribute and Evening of Remembrance beginning at 6:00 PM at the Special Providence Baptist Church 814 Martin Luther King Jr St. Baldwin, LA, Reverend W. J. Otis, Jr., Pastor.

Viewing will resume on Saturday October 28, 2017 at the Regular Baptist Church 901 5th Street Gretna, LA 70053 from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. A Celebration of the life of Herman Grant will be held at 10:00 AM with Rev. Dr. T A Hodge serving as Officiant. Herman will be entombed with full military honors in the Westlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Gretna, LA. 

HERMAN GRANT

" I Want to Live the Life I Sing About in My Song"

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Herman Grant, the eldest of eight siblings, was born to the late Thomas J. Grant, Sr. and Pearl Elnora Lewis-Grant in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound That Saved A Wretch Like Me.

Herman confessed Christ at an early age, and was baptized at the age of 14 at the Regular Baptist Church in Gretna, La. by the late Pastor Louis Harang. He became a member of the Junior Choir and later became a member of the Senior Choir.

Guide Me O Thou' Great Jehovah

Herman received his primary education at the Frederick Douglas Elementary School (formerly Gretna Elementary) from the fall of 1943 until the spring of 1951. In the fall of 1951, he began high school at the McDonough #35 High School graduating in 1955. In 1955, he began his collegiate experience at the Grambling College, now Grambling State University, and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelors of Science Degree. He later gained the following: a Masters Degree (1977), a Masters plus 30 (1980) both from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and later obtained an Associate’s Degree in 1983 from the Delgado Community College. His educational study and degrees allowed and certified him to hold the following positions: Mathematics Teacher, Foreign Language Teacher, Counselor in Education, Principal, Parish or City School Supervision Instructor, Supervisor of Student Teachers and a “Second Career” as Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. 

Glory Glory Hallelujah, His Truth Is Marching On

In 1961, upon the call of the President of the United States of America, Herman was drafted into the United States Army, doing a tour in Germany and also working in Baltimore, MD. After serving in Baltimore, Herman was discharged with an Honorable Discharge.

May the Work I've Done Speak For Me

Herman served as an educator at the L. B. Landry High School (New Orleans, LA) from 1959 until 1968. He later transferred to the St. Mary Parish School System, working at the Berwick High School from 1968 until his retirement in 1994. In May of 1994, Herman retired after devoting 35 years of service to the St. Mary Parish School System. 

In 1982, Herman began working as a part-time employee at Jones Funeral Home in Franklin. After retiring from the educational system and receiving his Funeral Director/Embalmer's License in 1995, Herman became a full-time employee of Jones Funeral Home, serving as the Franklin Location Office Manager. Arriving early, sometimes at 7:00 AM, making sure the coffee and the building was ready for visitations; being on time for services at the various churches;and receiving families and guest were just a few things that "Grant," as his funeral home staff called him, loved to do. 

I was Glad When They Said Unto Me, Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord

After re-locating to Franklin, in 1968, he joined the New Providence Baptist Church in Centerville, La and a became the Corresponding and Financial Secretary serving under the leadership of the late Reverend Joseph Wells and then the Reverend Keith Verrett. While at New Providence, he was a member of the infamous "Voices of Providence" Mass Choir under the leadership of the late musician, Hartzell A. Mitchell and the late director, Curtis L. Barber. Herman later joined the Special Providence Baptist Church in Baldwin, LA on December 31, 2000 under the leadership of the Reverend W. J. Otis, Jr. There, he sang in the mass choir, faithfully developed the weekly church programs, and was a member of several other church auxiliaries. 

This Little Light of Mine

Believing that every child of God is a lighthouse, Herman served as a secretary of the Laymen's League of the Union Sixth District Baptist Missionary Association under the leadership of the late Hilliard Buckner who serves as Laymen League President. With his great love for Gospel Music, the AcadianaChapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America was formed in the tri-parish areas. Under the leadership of the late Reverend James Cleveland, he was given the position of Chapter Representative. After 26 years of serving as Chapter Representative, Herman gained the national title of Chapter Representative Emeritus. In March of 2016, the New AcadianaChapter was formed, Herman remained Chapter Representative Emeritus and became the 1st Assistant Chapter Representative, and a charter member of this Chapter. In July of this year, he journeyed with twenty-five plus members to Atlanta, GA for the 50th Year Anniversary Celebration of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. Presently, he was a member of the New Acadian Chapter, the New Orleans Chapter, and the Tri-Parish Ensemble, under the direction of Charles "Butchie" McKinley. 

Herman enjoyed cooking, sports, singing (Traditional Gospel Music), watching television, working with people and traveling out of state. For nine years, Herman served as secretary for the Krewe of Kumba Social and Pleasure Club

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

On Sunday October 22, 2017, God, in His infinite wisdom, transitioned Herman from this his earthly dwelling on Pacific Avenue, his families’ home in New Orleans, Louisiana to rest and peace eternal.

I've Got A New Home Over in Glory

Herman now joins, his parents, Thomas Julius Grant, Sr. and Pearl Lewis Grant; three brothers, Thomas J. Grant, Jr., Louis Walker and Melvin Walker and two sisters, Valerie G. Robinson and Berdly "Beryl Dell" Grant Ragas.

Be Not Dismayed Whate’er Betide, God Will Take Care of You

Memories of Herman will forever remain in the hearts of his three brothers, Donald Grant, Ronald Grant and his wife, Mary Ann of Algiers, LA and Erikston Grant of Oakland, CA; three sisters, Helen G. Griffin of Algiers, LA, Betty S. Nelson, his caretaker, and her husband, Leon of Gretna, LA and Rita Young of Antioch, CA; one sister-in-law, Rhymi Grant of Algiers, LA; one aunt, Delores G. Justice of Harvey, LA, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, the members of the Tri-Parish Ensemble, the New Acadiana Chapter and Orleans Chapters of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, the Jones Funeral Home Staff, the many students he educated in the St. Mary Parish School System and other dear close friends.

His final words in his obituary, which he wrote himself pinned,"The work I've done, seems so small. Sometimes it seems like nothing at all. When I stand before my God, I want to hear Him say WELL DONE. "May theWork I've Done, Life I've Lived, Service I've Given, SPEAK FOR ME"