Obituary of Lenora A. Beasley-Grinston

Lenora A. Beasley- Grinston of Washington, New Jersey passed away from cancer on Monday, February 20, 2023, one week after her 76th birthday. Lenora, known to most of her family and friends as Nardie, was born on February 13, 1947 in Washington, New Jersey to the late Mildred Beasley and the late Leonard Beasley. Nardie spent her elementary years in Washington attending Washington Elementary School prior to moving to Philadelphia. She attended John Wanamaker Middle School and graduated from Germantown High School. She was an excellent student and enjoyed her time there. She was the first African American cheerleader and enjoyed music and singing. During the Motown era, Nardie was a part of the female group, Lovey and the Lovettes, singing at hotspots around Philadelphia. She worked at Bell Telephone while attending Philadelphia City College until she received a scholarship to complete her bachelor's and master's degrees and earn a teaching credential at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Nardie spent her entire teaching career in Ohio, where she taught English and Reading at the middle and high school levels. She was a highly accomplished educator who firmly believed in the importance of and the strength that comes with an education, and worked hard to ensure that those close to her maximized their educational potential. Lenora also had a wonderful sense of humor and a lively social community around her throughout her long life. Her family and friends will fondly remember her as someone that was present, loyal and always up for a fun time. She is survived by her devoted son, Jamal Grinston of Columbus, Ohio; beloved daughter, Tijena Bell, grandchildren; Jayquan Brown, Tayvion Slappy, and Kayvon Bell, sister-in-laws; Marjorie Beasley of Easton, Pennsylvania, formerly Washington, New Jersey and Louise Grinston; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Harold Beasley of Washington, New Jersey, her cousin, Tony Beasley who passed in 2017, her niece, Mildred Beasley, and her ex-husband, Lloyd Thomas Grinston and her brother-in-laws; Hugh Black, John Clark Grinston,and John allen Grinston, and sister -in-laws; Thelma Black, Rose Grinston, and Priscilla Grinston. Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 West Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A second visitation will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00AM at Faith Discovery Church, 33 Brass Castle Road, Washington, NJ 07882. A Going Home Celebration will take place in the church at 11:00 AM. Burial at Washington Cemetery will immediately follow. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.