Rosa "Essie" Lee Grantham

Rosa Essie Lee Grantham, 94, passed February 7, 2021, in her Reading residence.

She was the beloved wife of the late Walter Howard Grantham Sr. with whom she celebrated 40 years of marriage.

Born in Eustis, FL, she was the daughter of the late William King and Mary Magdalene (Laury) Williams.

Essie was a graduate of Eustis Vocational High School.

In her earlier years, she was employed by Hawthorne Manor as a nurse and later working for John Wannamaker Dept. Store before retiring.

She was a member of St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, Reading.

Essie was a devoted Christian. She enjoyed cooking, spending time with her family and friends and singing in the Reading Community Gospel Choir. But her true love was taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children, Geneva (Grantham) Jenkins wife of the late Isaac Jenkins, Bernadette V. Grantham, companion of Bernard Holmes and Walter H. Grantham Jr. She is also survived by five siblings, Mary Daisy Floyd, Henderson Wynn, Martha (Wynn) Williams, Robert Williams, and Pauline (Williams) Hickson; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Essie was predeceased by two children, Barbara J. Stevens, Loretta Y. (King) Perez.; brother, David J. Williams.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, February 19, 2021, at 12 p.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611, with burial to follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, Birdsboro. Viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the funeral home. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Homes Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.