Lela Ruth Grant passed away peacefully at her home in Reston, Virginia on April 19, 2026, at the age of 91.

Born on September 24, 1934, in Washington, North Carolina to Carrie L. Albritton and Rufus Williams, she was the

youngest of three children. Her mother later married Romney Thomas in 1938, who was a supportive stepfather and

strongly encouraged her education.

Lela attended T.S. Jones High School in Washington, North Carolina, formerly Washington Colored School (1924

-1968). After the birth of her son, James, Lela moved to Brooklyn, New York to live with her brother, and earned her

diploma from Rhodes High School in New York. While at Rhodes High School, Lela met the love of her life, Basil Grant.

They were married on August 15, 1960, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and shared 65 devoted years of marriage.

Determined to continue her education, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with a minor in teaching

from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. While studying, she worked part-time at Johns Hopkins Psychiatric

Clinic, where she observed and documented patient behavior—a role she often joked about in her personal life.

In 1967, Lela and her husband moved to Poughkeepsie, New York, when he was recruited for an engineering position

with IBM Corporation. They later relocated to Northern Virginia, settling in Reston where they built a life filled with

community, faith, and service.

Lela became an active member of the Reston community, serving on the Reston Interfaith Housing Board, now known as

Cornerstones, and later joined the Reston-Dulles section of the National Council of Negro Women. In 1978, she joined

the Christian Community Fellowship, which later became Heritage Fellowship Church, where she remained a faithful and

dedicated member for the rest of her life.

A lifelong passion for education led Lela to a distinguished teaching career. She taught mathematics at Dover High School

in Dover, NY and Poughkeepsie High in Poughkeepsie, NY, before spending 31 years at W.T. Woodson High School,

now known as Carter G. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. As one of the first Black teachers at the school, she

sometimes taught advanced mathematics and earned the deep respect and admiration of her students and colleagues.

Lela leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Basil; her grandchildren, Veronica, Angela, Lasharne,

Sharrise, and Tarek; as well as a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, dear friends and caregivers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carrie and Rufus Williams; her son, James Franklyn Williams; her granddaughters,

Sheila and Sharmaine; her sister, Alice Boyd; and her brother, James Williams. Her niece, Shenna was special in Lela's life

who lived with her, when Alice Boyd passed. Lela's life was one of strength, faith, service, and love. She will be deeply

missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.