Mary Lou Grant

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Mary Lou Grant, 82 of Columbia passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Mary Lou was born April 16, 1927, to Grover Cleveland and Dona Thaxton Fulbright in Millersville.

She and Harold Grant were married June 15, 1946, in Osceola, Ark.

They resided in Jackson until 1964, when they moved to Columbia. She was employed with State Farm as a part-time employee at the Arch Hill-Dale Nichols Agency until retiring in 1984.

Mary Lou's pride and joy was her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and preparing feasts for her family and friends.

Surviving are her husband, Harold; daughters, Pat Singer and Carol Kyd and son-in-law Tom Kyd of Columbia; two sisters, Jean Niswonger of Cape Girardeau and June Svoboda and husband George Svoboda of Edmond, Okla.; five grandchildren, Wendy Glascock and husband Chad, Ryan Kyd and wife Leah, Jeff Singer, Michael Kyd and Kenneth Kyd; and three great-grandchildren, Grayson and Laken Glascock and Madalyn Kyd.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Betty Mehrle and Mildred Luetje; brothers-in-law Glen Luetje and Glenn Niswonger; son-in-law Thomas Singer; and infant daughter, Theresa Lynn Grant.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to Missouri River Hospice, 1410 Heriford Road, Columbia, MO 65202.