Mary Grace Wagstaff

Mary Grace Wagstaff Mary "Taylor" Orton was born on November 9, 1946, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Novella Orton and Peter Taylor. She had one sister and four brothers. Mary attended Portsmouth Public Schools. On February 27, 1970, she married James ':IC" Couser of Charleston, South Carolina. Together, they reared two girls and two boys until his untimely death in 1985. Twenty years after JC's death, she met and married Morris Wagstaff of Hampton, Virginia. Mary Grace was introduced to Jesus at an early age, and made a decision to accept Him as Savior at age 27. There aren't many areas of church life in which Mary Grace has not served: choir member, usher, Sunday School teacher, Bible Study teacher, and Vacation Bible School worker, just to name a few. The true definition of a Domestic Engineer, Mary Grace cared for household, husband, and heritage in Jesus with a passionate zeal. A clean house and heart were two things she worked hard to maintain. The efforts put into personal and spiritual environments sparked great admiration from those closest to her. "I have never met a woman like you!" was her husband's constant declaration, making reference to the fierce dedication to home and Christ. Fondly known as Ms. Grace to the children and parents of Churchland North, she became the neighborhood babysitter. Parents trusted her, sight unseen, to care for their children. It was hard to catch Ms. Grace running Saturday errands without at least two of the neighborhood children in tow along with her own Enterprising in her own right, and desiring to help the family stay afloat, Mary Grace launched two businesses, Candy Lady and Avon Representative. She was most known for her kind dealings as many, including one seven year-old, had a running tab with her. No one was turned away! 1 Peter 4:12-13, Mary Grace's favorite scripture, admonishes the believer not to be surprised when fiery trials come. Therefore, she was not surprised when heart disease, and later, Parkinson's disease came her way. Instead, she endured as a good solider willing to share in suffering with Christ Jesus. At 3:57 PM, on Thursday, July 18, 2019, surrounded by friends and loved ones, with Matlock quietly streaming in the back- ground, just the way she would have wanted, God called and Mary Grace answered! She leaves to celebrate her life: daughters, Robin Holt (Leo) and Brenda Michelle Croston (Mark); son, James Christopher Couser. Grandchildren: LaTonya Bremby, Antonio Couser- Redmond, Kayla Holt,jada Couser, Khairi Holt, Khaleed Couser, Nyresia Couser, and Christopher Couser. One great grandchild, Serenity Bremby. By marriage, one daughter, Lovenia Renee Williams (Ernest) and grandchildren Candace Croston, Juliette Thompson, Mark Croston.Tr., Joshua Logan, Breonna Williams. Two great- grandchildren: London Duncan and Phenix Duncan. One brother, Herman Orton (Peggy). Two special nieces, Elaine Williams and Gayle Williams. One god-daughter, Amanda Murdock, and a host of Nieces, Nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. One son, Anthony Taylor and two granddaughters, Shaquayla and Mya, preceded her in death.

Mary Grace Wagstaff

November 9, 1946 - July 18, 2019