MILFORD – Grace Elizabeth Shearer, 85, of Milford, went to be with the Lord at 11 p.m. Jan. 1, 2019, at Greencroft Healthcare of Goshen.
Grace was born on May 25, 1933, in Perry, Ohio, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Elsie Bock Chapman. On Aug. 21, 1951, she married the love of her life, Carl Shearer; he survives her.
Grace was the youngest of six siblings, earning her the nickname “Babe.” She was orphaned at age 10 and raised by her older sister Esther, who nurtured a love for God in Grace that would grow deep roots and yield a lifetime of the Spirit’s fruit.
An exemplary student, Grace participated in the Girls’ Glee Club, Girls’ Athletic Association, Student Teachers and National Honor Society. She was also musical and artistic – playing, singing and creating with such skill and joy that she must have entertained the angels. Her red hair and alto voice were the perfect combination to perform in Griffith High School’s “The Three Shades of Harmony: A Blonde, a Brunette and a Redhead.” But the audience Grace would cherish most happened one summer, when she was working at Lake Region Christian Assembly and caught the eye of her future husband, Carl.
They were married in First Christian Church in Griffith, becoming a team that was the dream of every church. Wherever Carl pastored, she served. She was church secretary. She directed church choirs. She taught Sunday school and led Vacation Bible School. There was no Carl without Grace, serving the Lord at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Illinois, Milford Christian Church for 20-plus years, Hillcrest Christian Church in Illinois, Athens Christian Church in Georgia and Friendship Christian Church in Valley, Ala.
After they moved to Joplin, Mo., Grace was employed as volunteer coordinator at the Spring River Christian Village. Her last position was at the University of Georgia, working in the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center until she was 78.
Grace graced us with many years of work, and whether she was creating a live singing Christmas tree at church or baking her famous sugar cookies or typing on a university’s computer, she did it all for the glory of God. Now she rests. And after harmonizing with her daughters for so many years, singing, “We’re going to that happy Jubilee,” Grace can now sing and shout out for joy, “I’ve gone to that happy Jubilee.”
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Carl; three children: Deborah (Dan) Beer of Syracuse; Lydia Shearer of Athens, Ga.; and Douglas Mark (Sarah) Shearer of Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Esther Fisher and Doris Slocomb; three brothers: Robert, Leonard and George; and a son, Andrew.
A funeral service will be held in Grace’s honor at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Milford Christian Church, 201 N. Henry St, Milford. Pastors Dan Beer and Gene Neyhart will officiate.
