Shirley A. Gramby

Shirley Ann “SAM” Gramby of Reynoldsburg, Ohio age 70. Sunrise: June 16th, 1954. Sunset: May 18, 2025. She was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut to the late Sarge McCall Jr, and Lizzie V. McCall. Shirley was a graduate of Weaver High School. Earned a bachelor's and master's degrees from Wilburforce University and Central Michigan University respectfully. While attending Wilburforce University she met the love of her life, Charles Gramby. The couple were married in 1975 and moved to Columbus, Ohio after briefly living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were married for almost 50 years. Shirley served as a teacher in the Ohio public school system for 30 plus years and retired. Her life will be forever cherished by sons, Talib Gramby and Shamar Gramby (Nadia); beloved grandsons, Talib Shamar Gramby, Khalil Gramby; granddaughters, Alexandra Gramby, River Emmanuel Gramby; sisters in law, Adeline (Thomas) Edwards, Theresa (Ralph) Leatherbury; brothers in law, Frederick Gramby, Victor Gramby; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Gramby; sisters, Nancy McCall, Ida McCall and Merilyn Lawerance. Shirley excelled at everything she did. During her time as a teacher, she worked closely with The Columbus Association of Black Journalists (CABJ). She also authored articles for media print, The Call and Post covering youth events and sports. She created G & G public relations; a talent managing company that managed up and coming talent in the central Ohio area. In the early 1990s, Shirley promoted comedy shows through her company “Events on Occasion”. Her events featured acts that included comedians such as Cedric the Entertainer, Arnez J, and Mike Bonner. Later in the 2000s she established The Leadership Experience LLC, an organization which focused on raising money to provide educational resources and unique experiences to underserved students in the central Ohio area. Shirley Gramby’s charity work included North Columbus Jaycees, “Celebrity Waiters charity,” Holiday food drives and CAMP L.E.A.D. leadership camp. In 2011 she authored a book “The Boxing Championship A Tee and Sam story” A loosely based story on her two sons and their experiences dealing with bullying. She was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Loved collecting elephant memorabilia; however, her favorite past time was going to the movie theater. Shirley was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and The Order of the Eastern Star.

The funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2025, at SCHOEDINGER EAST, 5360 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, OH 43232. Visitation will be held one hour before the funeral services. Interment to follow at Glen Rest Memorial Estate. In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made to her family, in Shirley’s name.