Grace Ellen Vickroy

Vickroy, Grace Ellen (Collins-Hurd) – Age 97, Went to be with Jesus on February 16, 2024. Funeral Services will be held 11 AM Monday, February 19, 2024 at Linden Free Methodist Church, 13274 Linden Rd., Linden.  Pastor John Price officiating.  Interment will be held 10 AM, Wednesday February 21 at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly.  Visitation will be 3-8 PM Sunday February 18 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton.  Those desiring may make contributions to Linden Free Methodist Church or DaVita Dialysis. 

Grace was born on May 17,1926, to William H. Collins and Opal M. Payne, in the family farm house on O'Dell Road in Linden, Michigan. Grace had 2 bothers, Paul Collins, and Charlie “Chuck” Collins, who both preceded her in death. 

Grace attended Linden Schools through the 11th grade and then transferred to Spring Arbor High School in Spring Arbor, Michigan. While attending high school in Spring Arbor, Grace met, and fell in love with, Charles D. Hurd. In 1944, after Grace graduated from high school, she and Charles were married. After their marriage, the couple moved to Seattle, Washington so that Charles could attend school at Seattle Pacific College. After Grace and Charles were married they went on to have 3 children- Dianne E Jordan, Daniel E Hurd, and Debra E Myers.   

The family moved around a lot, but it was in Seattle where Dianne was conceived while Charles attended college, studying to be a minister, and Grace had a Rosie the Riveter type of job, contributing to and supporting the war effort. She maintained that job until the couple moved to Durand, Michigan, where Dianne was born. After Dianne was born, Charles took a church assignment in Louisiana, and the family of 3 moved to Alexandria. While in Alexandria, Daniel was born. After Daniel's birth the now family of 4 moved again, to Texas, where Charles served as pastor in 4 different churches throughout the state. Finally, after 9 years of Dianne desperately praying for a baby sister, Debra was born in Dallas. The family of 5 made their last official move in 1963, returning to Michigan where Charles took on a pastorate in the City of Flint. For 31 years, Grace served as a Free Methodist Pastor's wife within the Louisiana, Texas, and East Michigan Conferences. Charles preceded Grace in death in 1975. 

After moving to Flint, Grace was employed by AC Spark Plug/EDS until her retirement. After her retirement from AC, Grace enjoyed the privilege of caring for children at Wee Care Day Care, located in the Linden Free Methodist Church. It was at Wee Care that she became known as “Grandma Grace”. Having all the children, as well as most of the day care staff, calling her “Grandma Grace” filled her heart with great joy. 

After Charles passed, as well as after much prodding by her son Dan to contact their long-time family and church friend, Melvin Vickroy, Grace finally gave in and called Mel, firmly requesting for him to return to church after the passing of his wife and a time away from church. It was after the service on the first Sunday Mel had returned to church, in 1977, when Grace suggested he should take her to lunch. It was that afternoon lunch, and a phone call to Dan, that set things in motion and got the ball rolling. That “ball” was the first of many, as they both enjoyed bowling. 

Mel and Grace were united in marriage on August 28, 1978. The wedding was one year, to the very day, of that first lunch date. 

Melvin brought with him 3 children to the marriage: Ron, Lucinda, and Kevin. His oldest son, Jerry, had passed away several years before Mel and Grace were married. Their blended family ultimately produced 6 children, 26 grand children, 30 great grand children, and 12 great-great grand children. Mel and Grace had been married for 45 years when Mel passed away on September 13, 2023. 

Grace had a very full and active life that included traveling, serving others, bowling, crocheting HUNDREDS of baby blankets, playing word games, and much more. Through all her 97 years, she never lost her spunk and sass or her faith in God. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, husbands Charles Hurd and Melvin Vickroy, son Daniel Hurd, step-son Jerry Vickroy, and son-in-law Douglas Jordan, along with numerous other family members. She is survived by her daughters, Dianne (Douglas) Jordan, Debra (Timothy) Myers, her daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Daniel) Hurd, her step-children Ron (Rita) Vickroy, Lucinda Heiser, and Kevin (Donna) Vickroy, as well as those 26 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren. And 12 great-great-grandchildren. 

Grace had a very, VERY, full life! 

1926.................................................................................................2024. 

(YES! There are 97 dots!)