Patricia Marie Grandi

Patricia Marie Grandi, 73 – On May 18, 1949, a sunbeam was born in Detroit, Michigan. On October 14, 2022, that ray of pure sunshine returned to heaven from Cordova, TN. Full of warmth, life, and laughter, Pat burned bright for 73 years, illuminating up every corner of the earth she touched.

At the age of 27, Pat found a new spark when she was born again and discovered the power and grace that came from accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior. From that minute forward, she lived her life as a passionate prayer warrior, a dedicated servant, and a compassionate minister of the faith.

Pat grew up surrounded by friends and family––beloved big sister Kathleen whom she always admired, big brother Nick who adored his sisters and an equally sunshine-filled twin sister, Pam.

Loved as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend, Pat was a natural in teaching and spent her career as a special education teacher, helping kids feel safe and realize their full potential.

She also taught countless years of Sunday school, bible studies and volunteered at nursing homes. Never without her well-worn bible within easy reach, nearly every day she studied the scriptures and biblical history. Her life’s desire was to understand the Word of the Lord and to grow in it.

Pat spent her teen years in Grenada Mississippi and attended college at Ole Miss, Delta State and Memphis University. It was at Delta State that she met Michael Grandi, the forever love of her life. In 1971, the duo married and embarked on a life of adventure and easygoing friendship.

They had two daughters, Leah and Jamie, whom they raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Olathe Kansas. She and Michael created a warm, nurturing environment that welcomed all. Anyone who has ever sat in Pat and Michael’s kitchen, knows there was never a misfit in the Grandi home. She embraced everyone with a grace and love that turned strangers into family and friends into confidantes.

Once her daughters were grown, Pat and Michael moved back to Mississippi, living in Olive Branch and Oxford. They attended brother-in-law Gerald Shook’s church Anchor Baptist and built strong friendships with many there. At the tail end of her life, she and Michael moved to Cordova TN to be near their daughters, son-in-law, and granddaughter.

She leaves behind her husband of 51 years, Michael Grandi, daughters Leah Nanaa and Jamie Grandi, son-in-law Adam Nanaa, granddaughter Nova Nanaa, sister Kathleen Diomedi, her children Lisa, Gina and David and their families, Gerald Shook and his son Blake and granddaughter Bailey, in-laws Sharon and Dennis Tase, their children Shane and Brittany and their families, Rob Bader and Romney Grandi and their daughter Mallory, as well as numerous beloved friends. She was welcomed into heaven by her twin sister Pamela Shook, brother Nicholas S. Zelenak, niece Brandi Shook, father Nicholas J. Zelenak, mother Helen Superak Zelenak, brother-in-law David Diomedi, and many more loved ones.

Funeral services and visitation will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at Anchor Baptist Church with Pastor Ron Crenshaw officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. with service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Private graveside service to follow. The family would like to thank the many people who were there for Pat throughout her life and share in this loss. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to Operation Christmas Child through Anchor Baptist Church at 1009 MS-7 Water Valley, MS 38965.