October 5, 2021, 71, Mount Olive –
Bobby Lynn Grady, 71, Mount Olive area resident, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, October 5, 2021, while at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
He was born November 16, 1949 to the late Albert Perry Grady and Lucille Overman Grady. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Perry Grady, and Kenny Bellamy Grady, and his brother-in-law, Russell Bradford Brock.
Bobby was a multi-talented man who loved working with his hands. After graduating from Southern Wayne High School in 1968, he began his career by working with Blanton’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Wilmington from 1976 until he returned to Mount Olive to take over his father’s appliance repair business, Grady’s Electric. After an increased interest in commercial refrigeration, Bobby opened his own business, Grady’s Refrigeration, creating long-term relationships with E. J. Pope & Son and Handy Mart, Friendly Mart, Handee Hugo, McDonald’s, and Hardee’s. He also owned and operated the Far Field Hog Operation.
In addition, Bobby was a long-time member of Mount Olive Lion’s Club and he especially enjoyed the Thanksgiving turkey shoot. He was an avid racing fan which included watching NASCAR and working on race cars with his best friend, Pete Vinson. As a young child, Bobby was fascinated with taking things apart to see how they worked, and putting them back together again. During his early retirement, he found a new passion–finding old John Deere riding lawn mowers to restore. He also enjoyed growing several varieties of pecan and fruit trees.
Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Debbie Brock Grady; two daughters, Bobbie Lynne Grady of Mount Olive, and Mellissa Grice and husband, Dennis Grice, of Smithfield; son, Michael Grady and wife, Angie Grady, of Rosewood; his sister, Mary Lois Grady Neel and husband, James Neel, of Grantham; his brother, George O’Dell Grady and wife, Ronna Grady, of Mount Olive; sister-in-law, Joyce Outlaw Grady of Bowling Green, Kentucky; mother-in-law, Gaynell Brock of Mount Olive; sister-in-law, Gloria Brock Morgan and husband, Grey Morgan, of Mount Olive; sister-in-law, Kay Goodman Brock of Mount Olive; eight grandchildren; two very special great-granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service to honor Bobby’s life will be held by the graveside on Friday, October 8, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Wayne Memorial Park. Officiating will be the Reverend Paul Rose. The family will greet friends at the cemetery immediately following the service, and at other times, they will be at the residence.
Flowers are welcome, and memorial donations may be made to the local animal shelter in Bobby’s name.
