Joan Ann Grant

Joan’s Story Joan Ann Grant was born on March 20, 1945 in Georgetown, Guyana. As the third daughter of Leon Maxwell (deceased) and Winifred Maxwell, Joan attended Broad Street Government School from which she graduated and went on to Tutorial High School. While at Tutorial, apart from excelling academically, Joan was an avid athlete. She participated in many sports, soon becoming the Rounder’s Captain and highly recognized center forward on the basketball team. She not only represented her school, but Joan also represented her country at various athletic meets. Having graduated from Tutorial, she was employed for a brief period at Bookers Department Store, from which she migrated to the United Kingdom in quest of a nursing degree. While in nursing school, she was employed to administer to the sick in various institutions, which led to her becoming a registered nurse. She later bore a daughter Shelley Ann, and being restless by nature, she soon abandoned her pursuit of nursing and changed her major to Economics and much later Sociology, receiving degrees in both fields. She later married E. Gordon Grant, and from their union came her son, E. Gordon Grant Jr. Always pursuing a dream to be successful, she departed England for the shores of the United States, where she and her family settled in Brooklyn, with other members of her extended family. Soon after her arrival she became employed as a Social Worker, which inspired her to return to graduate school to pursue another degree. Within a few years, she graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, with her Masters in Public Administration. As a Social Worker, Joan was always wary of the dangers associated with this vocation. While on vacation in Orlando, she was impressed with what she saw, and decided to apply for jobs in the area before she returned home. A few months later she received a call, and she was now a resident of Kissimmee, again working as a Social Worker. When the demands of this job became too much, Joan opened and operated her own day care, and due to financial difficulties, she was forced to abandon this project. Prior to retiring, she held other positions in the social service arena. Joan was a devoted member of Solid Rock Church of God, where she served on the choir, was the Women’s Group President, a member of the intercessory prayer group and a helpful participant in other ministries. She loved her church family dearly, as she lived to serve the Lord. Joan was also a faithful member of the Caribbean and Floridian Association (CAFA), where she was a member of the Education Committee. She enjoyed her time in the organization, as she reconnected with old friends and made some new ones. She was very supportive of the organization, as she whole heartedly supported their mission for community outreach as well as education and health awareness. She leaves to mourn her mother, Winifred Maxwell, her daughter Shelley Ann, her son E. Gordon Grant Jr. (affectionately known as Junior), her son n law Dennis Briggs, her sisters Leila Haynes and Annette Maxwell, her brother Horace Maxwell, her grandchildren Jada Ann, Jourard, Dennis Jr., Deyonce, Ethan and Savannah, two nieces, Michelle and Monique, one nephew, Audley, numerous cousins, cousins n law, colleagues and friends.

Joan Ann Grant

March 20, 1945 - July 27, 2011