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John Smith Grant Jr., of Keysville, peacefully departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 10. He was the son of John and Laura Grant born on May 18, 1940. “Tommy,” as he was affectionately known, was raised in Charlotte County and would call it his home for the remainder of his life. John and his six siblings grew up together in the historic “Grant House,” located between Keysville and Drakes Branch. 

Later in life, John drove a tractor-trailer for a while, and was employed at the Keysville Spinning Mills. His namesake would forever be associated with the famous lighted “Christmas Star” he made for the Mill, and every Christmas the “Star” would adorn the Mill and light up the town for the Christmas season. John was an avid sportsman and loved to hunt. He also was one of the biggest fans of his grandchildren when they played ball. As time passed, John returned to work in Keysville for Appomattox River Manufacturing (Genesis) until he retired. He continued to love spending time with his grandchildren. John will be greatly missed by friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Margaret Carolyn Grant (née Newcomb) and twin great-grandchildren, Aubrey Michael and Adaline Belle Church. 

He is survived by his immediate family: two daughters, Debbie (Jeff) Thomas of Farmville and Karen (Scott) Parsons of Keysville; two sisters, Helen (Hugh) Wallace and Myrtle Osborne; five grandchildren, Theodore “Tad” Reynolds, Christopher “C.J.” (Fallon) Harmon, Alice (Sam) Church, Nicholas “Nick” Harmon and Julie Crowe, Laura Harmon and Jerald Price; and eight great-grandchildren.

Family and friends of John Smith Grant Jr. gathered together for visitation in his memory and to celebrate his life at Browning-Duffer Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A graveside service was held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Mt. Harmony United Methodist Church Cemetery in Keysville. 

At the request of the family, those wishing to express sympathy should, in lieu of flowers, support and contribute to the Keysville Volunteer Fire Department, the Charlotte County Rescue Square or the Barksdale Cancer Foundation. 

Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville is in charge of the arrangements.