Grace Ann Calvert, age 89, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Grace Ann Calvert, age 89, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Grace was born on July 24, 1936, in Bond Township, Illinois, near Brushy Fork Creek, to Vernon R. Cummins and Velma “DeLong” Cummins. She graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1954 and later was a valued employee of Golden Rule Insurance for 30 years.
On June 10, 1955, she married the love of her life, Thomas E. Calvert. Their love story began while Grace was waitressing at the Clock Café in Lawrenceville, where she met Tom. This past June, they joyfully celebrated 70 years of marriage and looked forward with great anticipation to watching their family continue to grow.
Grace was a devoted and active member of the Lawrenceville Free Methodist Church, where she faithfully served for many years in children’s ministries. She lovingly led Sunday School classes and contributed her many talents to church programs, art projects, music, and drama productions. Her faith was central to her life, and her gentle guidance touched countless young hearts.
She found joy in life’s simple blessings. Grace loved reading novels by Grace Livingston Hill and Jeanette Oke. She had a true green thumb and took great pride in nurturing her many plants and flowers, tending to them with patience and care.
Above all, Grace cherished her family. She treasured every opportunity to gather, creating memories that will be held dear for generations. She and Tom considered Wabash Camp Park and Retreat Center their home away from home, where they built a lifetime of precious memories with friends and family.
Preceding Grace in death were her parents, Vernon and Velma Delong Cummins; her daughter, Marianne (Mark) Richey; and her siblings, Wilber D. Cummins, Mary Cummins Krise, and Willard G. Cummins.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas E. Calvert; her brother Warren “Barney” (JoAnna) Cummins; her children, Edwin Joseph Calvert of Lawrenceville, Cyndia Calvert Kramer of Hobart, Indiana, Thomas (Shelia) Calvert of Mesa, Arizona, and James (Amie) Calvert of Lawrenceville; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted by Emmons-Macey and Steffey Funeral Home on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Lawrenceville Free Methodist Church, 10th and Maple Street in Lawrenceville, with Pastor Russ Veldman officiating. Burial will follow at Derr Cemetery in Pinkstaff, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Lawrenceville Free Methodist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lawrenceville Free Methodist Church.
