Grace Anne (Herriman) Wilson

The family of Grace Anne Wilson is grieved to announce her passing after struggling with Alzheimer's for many years.  Grace was a wonderfully kindhearted woman who, even though these last difficult years, always had a ready smile  - the sort that shines even from the eyes.

Grace was born in Lawrence, Michigan, on April 19, 1938, to parents Clare and Elsie Herriman, the older of two children with her younger sister being Clara (Sue) Anderson.  In her youth, Grace enjoyed playing piano and served as the organist for the Congregational Church of Lawrence.

After graduating Lawrence High School in 1956, Grace moved to South Bend, Indiana, where she attended South Bend College, earning a business certificate.  She worked until she married her high school sweetheart, Clarence Utter, April 5, 1959.  Clarence and Grace made their home in Dowagiac, Michigan, where they were blessed with four children:  Timothy, Todd, Tracy and Tina.  Tragically, Grace became a widow in 1965 at the age of 27 when Clarence passed away after an automobile accident.

Grace was blessed to find love once again and married Parks Wilson on May 1, 1969.  They moved the family to Marcellus, Michigan.  Grace welcomed Parks' children, Cindy and David, to their blended family, raising six kids on their Marcellus farm.

Grace enjoyed being a homemaker and mother.  As the children began to leave home, Grace once again entered the workforce with Cree Coach Trailers Company in Marcellus.  Grace was also an active participant to the workings of the farm and other business adventures of Parks'.

Besides her children and family, Grace had many passions including baking, gardening, knitting, sewing, ceramics, puzzles, Yahtzee and Bunco Club.  Nothing brought her more joy than hosting family holidays and birthday parties.  Grace specifically loved the family's Christmas traditions including decorating the tree and hanging the hand-made knitted stockings, baking and decorating the warm sugar cookies and enjoying hot chocolate - all of this she did with a smile that warmed everyone's heart.

After retirement, Grace and Parks enjoyed traveling the United States together visiting national parks and monuments as well as camping and cane pole fishing.  They also cherished the time they had to spend with family and friends.  In 2013, Grace and Parks moved to Baldwin, Michigan.  With Parks' sudden passing in 2014, Grace returned to Southwest Michigan to live with her daughter, Tina for many years - before becoming a resident at the White Oaks Assisted living Facility in Lawton, Michigan.

Grace will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother/grandmother/great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.  She had a smile that could light up a room and a joyous, infectious laugh - it was hard to remain sad in her presence.  She always had a kind and encouraging word for anyone who needed it and a supportive shoulder that people could lean on.

Grace was preceded in death by her husbands, Clarence of 7 years and Parks of 45 years, and parents, Clare and Elsie Herriman.  She is survived by a loving sister Clara (Sue) Anderson; 6 children:  Timothy (Lorrie) Utter, Todd (Tracy) Utter, Tracy (Ruth) Utter, Tina (Rick) Higgins, Cindy Wilson, David (Laura) Wilson; 7 grandchildren:  Kelly (Daniel) Quiroga, Scott (Shawnee) Utter, Travis (Kathryn) Utter, Spencer Utter, Brent (Christina) Cox, Schyuler (Stacy) Wilson, Nichiolas (Sarah) Wilson; 12 great-grandchildren:  Malcolm and Manolo Quiroga, Skyler and Safira Utter, Anakin Utter, Mackenzie Cox, Olivia, Liam, Hudson and Asher Wilson, Jacquelyn and Katelyn Wilson, and nephew Jim (Sue) Wilson, in addition her many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association of SW MI.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Adams Funeral Home.

The family will meet for a private memorial at Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, Michigan