Grace Ward Giles, 89, of Florence, died on January 27, 2016. She was born January 10, 1927 in Fairhope, AL the 4th of 9 children. Grace was a founding member of Parkway Methodist Church. She completed undergraduate studies at API (Auburn). As the first female graduate of the School of Textile Engineering, she was an inspiration to many women who pursued technical studies in generations to follow. She later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama. From 1949 to 1987, she served the youth of her community teaching in various Alabama cities, and in the Quad-Cities area at Muscle Shoals High School, Central High School, Appleby Junior High School, Bradshaw High School, and Hibbett Middle School. She continued her service to the community after retirement through a variety of volunteer efforts including adult education programs and Christian community service organizations.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Parkway Methodist Church on Cox Creek Parkway. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Long.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents, William Ward and Blanche Stelzenmueller Ward; brothers, James, Cecil, George, and Gerald Ward; and sisters, Alice Ward Hamlin, and Ellen Gray Ward Simpkins.
She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, C.W. Giles; sister, Frances “Flossie” Belcher; brother, Richard Ward; daughters, Frances Elizabeth “Beth” Giles Hargett, Karen Alice Giles Thigpen, Robin Patrice Giles Long, Deborah Grace Giles Long; son, Cornelius “Neil” Ward Giles; sixteen grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local church.
Special thanks to Hospice of the Tennessee Valley in Florence.
