Yes, earth grows poorer; Heaven seems more desirable when a loved one has gone into the shadow-land. Shadow did I say? Here is the shadow. There the light blots out the radiance of the sun. Dark with excess of brightness, that higher world is because our eyes are so weak, our faith so dim. In this ever changing world of phenomena We seem but a shadow pursuing shadows, like the rest. When we reach there we shall know the truth, that love, and life, were the only real things we have ever found.

Our beloved Brother Charlie Leon Grant made his final transition to his eternal home on Monday, June 16, 2014 at Meadow Brook Care Facility, Freeport, NY. Charles as he was lovingly called was born February 23, 1938 in Dorchester, SC. He was the son of the late Annie Pearl Grant Johnson and Dave Gelzer of Dorchester, SC. He was educated in the public schools of Dorchester County. At an early age he connected himself with the Elem Baptist Church where he attended Sunday School and fellowshipped while he resided in Harleyville, SC.

Upon moving to Far Rockaway, NY, he connected himself with the Shiloh Baptist Church, Rockville Center, Long Island, NY. While there he served in the following capacities: President of Shiloh Baptist Church Usher Board, President of Eastern Baptist Ushers Foundation (40 years), Club 72 Minnie Anderson Foundation and Area President for Nassau County, Long Island, NY for many years.

He was employed by Rockaway Metal Company in Inwood, NY for 20 years and Nassau County Public School System for 23 years, where he remained until his retirement in 2012.

He will be lovingly missed by his four sisters, Carolyn Rhames, Ellen R. Boyd and Frizella Heath Anderson all of Dorchester, SC, Sarah E. Newton of Harleyville, SC; one foster sister, Lorraine (Jeffrey) Jones of Dorchester, SC; a godson, Akinwale Orisajinmi, Jr. of Queens, NY; three brothers, Douglas M. Johnson and Johnnie Lee Johnson both of Dorchester, SC and Henry Glover of St. Albans, NY; three sisters-in-law, Joann Johnson, Margie Johnson and Willie Mae Johnson all of Harleyville, SC; two brothers-in-law, Anthony Newton of Harleyville, SC and Alonzo Badie of Daytona Beach, FL; a special cousin, Earline Rorie of Dorchester, SC; special care givers, Cynthia Palmer, Deloris Moultrie and other nieces; extended family members, Elizabeth Morris, Leola Towns, Gregory and Peggy Brown; numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.