By Norman Miller, Louisiana College Communications
PINEVILLE — One of Louisiana College’s beloved donors and friends, Mary Anna Granberry, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on the morning of March 11 in Lafayette.
Members of First Baptist Church in Lafayette, the Granberrys have a history of generosity for Baptist causes.
The Granberrys contributed substantially to build the Granberry Conference Center that adjoins Louisiana College’s Hixson Student Center, and endowed two scholarship funds that still support LC students. They also established the counseling centers statewide for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Today, Granberry Counseling Center has 11 sites that see more than 1,500 clients annually.
The Granberrys became acquainted with Louisiana College through Bonnie Lynn and an event she founded called “Adults with Seniority.” Bonnie was LC’s director of planned giving during the presidential tenure of her husband, Bob Lynn.
“The Granberrys were very generous people, who loved Louisiana College and Christian higher education,” said Byron McGee, LC’s vice president for Institutional Advancement. “We are very grateful for their generosity.”
LC president Rick Brewer said, “While our hearts are saddened for the family’s sake, we will more readily remember the Granberrys for their selflessness in sharing what God had given to them. Though the Granberry name dons the façade of our conference center, what they have contributed to Louisiana College and the Lord’s work will bear eternal dividends in the lives their kindness have impacted.”
The Louisiana College family will pray for the Granberry family in this time of sorrow.
Funeral services for Mary Anna Granberry will be held at 1 p.m. March 15 at First Baptist Church 1100 Lee Avenue, Lafayette, LA with Luther Burney officiating. Graveside services will follow at Fountain Memorial Cemetery.
A native of Smith Mills, KY and a resident of Lafayette since 1956, she was the daughter of the late Anna Sandefur Crenshaw and Hal Hopkins Crenshaw and wife of the late Raymond James Granberry. Her greatest interests were her faith and her family.
The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church March 15 from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, 7200 Desiard St., Monroe, LA 71203
