August 23, 2022, 69, Mount Olive –

Stephen Craig Grady, known to all as Steve C. Grady, well-known farmer and agri-businessman of the Beautancus and Summerlin Crossroads Communities near Mount Olive, passed away early Tuesday morning, August 23, 2022, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh.

Steve was a graduate of North Duplin High School with the class of 1971. He then attended Wayne Community College and Lenoir Community College. At Wayne Community, he returned as an instructor in the automotive diesel mechanics department. He then returned to his roots to establish a farming presence among his family and neighbors.

As a hardworking farmer, he was a member of the NC Cattleman’s Association and a former member of the Tobacco Grower’s Association of N.C. He was instrumental with cotton making his return to Duplin County and was one of the founders of Tri County Cotton Gin. He had served with Oak Wolfe Volunteer Fire Department, had been a member of the Duplin County Board of Education, and was a life-long member of Bethel United Methodist Church. Up until recently, he and his family operated the Summerlin’s Crossroads General Store.

Steve is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Cotton Grady; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen C. Grady, Jr. and Lauren Murphy Grady, of Kenansville; a granddaughter, Savannah Grace Grady (with the branding of SG III); a brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Billie Carole C. Grady of Mount Olive; other sisters-in-law, Brenda W. Grady of Waynesville, Michelle T. Grady of Faison, and Jane Cotton Hedrick and husband, Dale, of Mount Olive; a brother-in-law, Buck Cotton and wife, Vicky B. Cotton, of Mount Olive; his mother-in-law, Zadie Knowles Cotton of Calypso; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

He was preceded in death by a son, Stuart Kyle Grady; his parents, James E. “Jim” and Mildred Summerlin Grady; three brothers, James Earl Grady, Bennie Grady, and Dwight Grady; and his father-in-law, George Marvin Cotton.

The Grady family will have graveside rites to honor the life of their loved one on Friday, August 26, at 11 a.m. at the Summerlin Family Cemetery at Summerlin’s Crossroads. Immediately following the service, the family will greet friends at the cemetery. At other times, they welcome friends and family to the residence.

In lieu of flowers, it is the request of the family that memorial gifts be made to:
Miracles in Sight
3900 Westpoint Blvd., Suite F
Winston-Salem, NC 27103