State Elder Carrie Belle Moran Grimes of 114 Sullivan Drive, Americus, Georgia passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at her residence.

The pubic visitation will be on Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home Historic Westend Chapel, 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., SW, Atlanta, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.

State Elder Carrie Moran Grimes, ardent educator, devoted mentor, sister, aunt, friend, wife, Pastor, and faith servant of God, graduated from and degrees bestowed from Staley High School in Americus, Georgia, Morris Brown College, Carver Bible College, and Luther Rice Bible College and Seminary, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in Americus, Georgia.  She was 91 years old.

Carrie Belle Moran was born in Americus, Georgia on July 9, 1933, to the parentage of the late Tom Moran, a farmer, and the late Irene Reddick Moran, a co-farmer and homemaker. Carrie was born just three months after The Great Depression ended, but the young family flourished and grew.

In 1954, Carrie Belle Moran and Robert Leonard Grimes were joined in holy matrimony.  They resided in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked as an educator at Florence Jackson Academy in Atlanta until she retired and  Robert served in the United States Army for 28 years - many of which were spent overseas, and he was the recipient of numerous military awards.  The late Sergeant Major Retired Robert Leonard Grimes and Carrie Moran Grimes enjoyed a loving marriage for 52 years until his death in 2006.

In 1952, Carrie was endowed with the Holy Ghost and accepted Christ as her personal Savior.  She was anointed and ordained to preach the Gospel and served in The House of God Church.

She was promoted as a General Elder and subsequently, recommended by Bishop Martha Thomas to be a State Elder.  Over the years, State Elder Grimes served in many capacities namely:  President of the Missionary Outreach Society for 27 years; served as an Assistant Pastor; served as   Pastor of The House of God Church, Atlanta, for 27 years and was instrumental in the purchase of the property at 3099 Rockbridge Road, Avondale Estate, Georgia; served on the Supreme Executive Council, the General Trustee Board and as Chaplain of the Ministers & Deacons Council for 27 years. She was awarded the Continuous Service Award for 50+ years at the General Assembly.

She continued to serve in the church until she became informed in recent years.  She loved her church family and she was the recipient of much love and respect from them.  She was an advocate for education and always promoted it to the youth that she encountered.  Being the eldest of 12 siblings, she served as surrogate matriarch in the Moran Family and was sought out for her wise counsel. Having been a military wife, she traveled extensively throughout the world.

In addition to her husband, Robert Leonard Grimes, having preceded her in death were her father, Tom Moran; mother, Irene Reddick Moran; sisters, Lola Belle Moran, Susie Moran Williams Mann; brothers, Tomas Moran, Wilbert Moran, Joseph Moran, John Edd Moran, and Baby Boy Moran.

She is survived by sisters:  Deas. Jessie Moran Reid and Elder Mary Ann Moran King (Dea. Clifford L. King) of Americus, Georgia, Tobitha R.   Moran of New York City; brother, Antontious L. Moran (Kathy R. Moran) of Americus, Georgia; cousins:  USA North, South, East and West; a host of nieces and nephews (Morans and Grimes), grand nieces and nephews; great-grand nieces and nephews; church colleagues, devoted friends and faithful neighbors all of whom were blessed to have shared this journey with State Elder Grimes.  She attempted to make a positive difference in the lives of those she met and indeed succeeded in doing just that!