Josephine Grant

Josephine Ruth Crocker Grant passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, at Evergreen Rehabilitation in Smyrna, DE, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 77.

Josephine was born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1947 to Wilbur and Dorothy Crocker Green. She was the third oldest of nine children and the third of five daughters from this union.

She was baptized at the age of 10 and rededicated her life to Christ in 2008 at Crossroads Christian Church in Dover, DE, where she was re-baptized.

Josephine graduated from Dobbins Technical Vocational High School in 1965, where she studied nursing and earned her LPN. She practiced nursing until she retired in 2007.

However, her true passion was teaching.

Her calling to care for the sick, elderly, and young led her to work at prestigious institutions, including Philadelphia General Hospital, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Mercy Douglas Hospital, Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home, and the Child Guidance Clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Josephine married Jerry Grant in November 1965, and together they had three daughters—Monica, Kelli, and Tiffany. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in North Carolina and Kentucky while Jerry served in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge in 1968, they returned to Philadelphia and settled on Litchfield Street. It was there that lifelong friendships with the Phillips and Randolph families flourished—and where the sisterhood of "Ebony Women" was born.

This sisterhood, shared with Jackie Phillips and Ann Randolph, centered around family, fellowship, and music. And oh, the parties!

Jerry and Josephine's marriage was unable to withstand life challenges, and they divorced. However, they were determined to provide their daughters with a better quality of life in an environment where their dreams and aspirations could flourish.

Known for her toughness, feistiness, and firm resolve, Josephine later moved from Philadelphia to Sicklerville, NJ. Despite many challenges, she laid a foundation of traditions and built new friendships with Dorinda Harmon and the late Cindy Williams—relationships rooted in support, community, and family. She continued her nursing career at Ancora Nursing Home.

In Sicklerville, extended family found solace visiting the Grant women outside the city. During this time, Josephine began studying liberal arts at Glassboro Community College. Her love for music followed her everywhere—you could hear her belting out the tunes of Roberta Flack, Melissa Manchester, and Aretha Franklin.

In 1993, Josephine embarked on a new chapter and moved to Oakland, CA, where she reconnected with her dear friend Evelyn Trowell to lead the Grandparents Who Care program in San Francisco.

As Director of Grandparents Who Care, this role brought Josephine immense joy. She supported grandparents raising grandchildren through fundraising, luncheons, and donations. A few years later, Josephine transitioned to the Center of Elders Independence as Supervisor, ensuring that elders who were sick and shut-in received an appropriate level of care to maintain their well-being.

While in the Bay Area, she formed new friendships with ladies who became family, and enjoyed fishing, camping, arts, and entertainment in the region.

Unfortunately, her career was cut short due to an injury from a fall.

After 13 years in California, Josephine returned to Smyrna, DE, in 2006 to be closer to her granddaughters—Dominique, Kourtney, Kayla, and Maya.

In Smyrna, she rebuilt a network of friends through the Modern Maturity Senior Center, including a weekly lunch bond with Gerri Annett. Josephine became a proud member of The Red Hatters, a group that celebrated sisterhood through volunteering, luncheons, birthday celebrations, and movie outings. Their pride and joy was Black History Month, where they dressed in African attire and shared facts about notable Black historical achievements.

Josephine fulfilled her lifelong dream of teaching when she began working for the State of Delaware as a paraprofessional in a third-grade classroom. She assisted students with reading, counting, and learning colors until the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to retire.

Her health began to decline after COVID, but she faced those challenges with resilience. Eventually, she became a resident of Pinnacle Rehabilitation (Evergreen Rehabilitation). Even then, Josephine remained feisty and firm—especially when it came to the meals served. Staff loved her honesty and built strong relationships with her.

As her health declined, Compassion Care Hospice was called in. Surrounded by her daughters, granddaughters, Evergreen staff, and hospice caregivers, Josephine transitioned with love and dignity to be with the Lord.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: Sherman (Bernard), Rosemarie, Gwendolyn, Deborah, and Theresa.

Josephine leaves behind her daughters Monica (Peter), Kelli (Aubrey), and Tiffany (Anthony); granddaughters, Dominique, Kourtney, Kayla, and Maya; brothers, Nathaniel and Quinzel Green; and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Josephine Grant, please visit our floral store.