William A. Granby Sr.

Charlie Clifton Granby, Sr. and Katie Lyons Granby had their second son, William Anderson Granby, Sr. in 1937, ten years after his sister, Katie (who recently passed away).  He was one of 15 children and grew up in the St. John community in Edenton, NC. He was doted on by all of his siblings and particularly spoiled by his sisters who overly protected him.  Like most boys in the country, he went to work in the restaurants in Virginia Beach when he became of age.  He worked for Nellie Sears who owned Nell’s Take Out Bar. After her passing he rented the building from her brother and changed the name to “Granby’s Chicken in the Box.” Other jobs included work at Terrara Terrace in Jacksonville, NC, Newport News Shipyard and Valley Poultry in Norfolk, VA.  Around 1979, he started Granby’s Lawn Service with his son, Michael, and operated this business through 2019 when he retired. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, fishing on the pier and boating with his friends.  He also enjoyed reciting poems from memory; a favorite poem was "Twas The Night Before Christmas". He was a part of the “Golden Corral Gang” – they met on Mondays faithfully until the pandemic hit, where they ate a lot and talked even more. 

He was a member of First Lynnhaven Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School, Ushered and was a Deacon. He was one of the founders of Rehoboth Baptist Church.

He was married to Mary Elizabeth (Rodgers) Granby for 63 years.  To this union were born five children:  William Anderson Granby, Jr., Jacqueline Elizabeth Granby Conley, Dora Mae Granby, Cora Faye Granby-Parker (Gene), and Michael Warren Granby (Shawna).  Other children include William Earl Johnson (Kathy), Alan LaVerne Curtis (Sandra) and Cornelius Curtis, Sr. (Khadijah).  He also leaves 18 beloved grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.  Also left to cherish his memories are his 5 siblings, Marjorie Treadwell of Jacksonville, NC, Rosa Harrell of Zion, IL, John Granby (Bettye) of Virginia Beach, VA, Mary Hoggard (William) of Chesapeake, VA and James Granby (Sandra) of Tyner, NC.  William also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and cousins as well as many special friends.  

He was pre-deceased by his seven sisters:  Margaret Stevenson, Cora Burton, Katie Crest, Dorothy Granby, Janie Granby, Gloria Cobb and Barbara Granby; two brothers:  Charlie Granby and Washington Lyons.

The memory of William, Uncle Buddy, Buddy, Little Buddy, William Anderson, Bill, My Daddy, Grandpa, Brother Granby, Deacon Granby will always be remembered for his loving generosity towards all those who crossed his path and will live on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends and everyone he helped and loved. He was blessed with a long and fruitful life, surrounded by those who meant the most to him. 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith".  2 Timothy 4:7

Services can be seen on Facebook and New Hope Baptist Church website at www.newhopebaptistchurchvb.org.