Carrie Bell Grayson

Carrie Bell Wells Grayson, Age 92, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2023, at her home in Kansas City, Kansas. She was born on September 12, 1930, in Parkin, Arkansas to Frank and Carrie (Sweeten) Wells. Carrie Bell grew up in Pine Bluff and Parkin, Arkansas, where she also attended school. She later moved to Kansas City, where she also attended educational classes.

When Carrie moved to Kansas City in 1952, she met and married Elmore Tarkington. To this union three daughters were born. Carrie later married Eddie Grayson and had another daughter and three sons. Carrie was a wonderful wife and mother. While her children were young, she devoted most of her time to being a homemaker, but occasionally, for brief periods, worked outside the home as a laundry worker. After her children grew up, Carrie began working for the State of Kansas as a home care worker, from which she retired in 1995.

Carrie came to know the Lord at a young age. She rededicated her life to the Lord and joined The Church of God (later named Freeman Avenue Church of God), now Kansas City Community Church, where she remained a member for over 65 years. During Carrie’s years as a member of the church she sang in the adult choir, served as an usher, attended Tuesday morning prayer meetings, was a part of various Bible studies and the Women’s Ministry, and served as a deaconess.  She truly loved the Lord with all her heart and knew the importance of holding on to Christian values and virtues. Carrie shared these values with her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

Carrie enjoyed studying the Word of God and read her Bible daily. She would have scriptures ready for Sunday evening dial-in-prayer time with her family, and scriptures prepared to read every week for the Womens Tuesday prayer meetings. Whenever asked to read the scripture, she was ready, willing and prepared.  Carrie was a quiet and humble servant who exemplified Christ with her family, as well as her church family. Carrie loved to cook and was known for those peach cobblers and butter rolls she shared with family and friends. Many gatherings were held at her home with delicious soul food for family, relatives and friends. Everything Carrie cooked was good and she never minded sharing the recipes. Dessert was the highlight for Carrie. While raising her children, Carrie prepared some type of dessert daily. She usually prepared enough for other children in the neighborhood, and others that might come by. Her grandchildren, as well as her children, had the opportunity to enjoy Carrie’s wonderful meals and desserts. Carrie has truly left a legacy of love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, relatives and friends. She will not be forgotten.

Carrie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eddie; two grandchildren, Keith D Harbin Jr and Lynita K Gray-Jackson; stepson, Eddie Lee Grayson; and five brothers and seven sisters. She leaves to cherish her memories seven children, four daughters: Shirley Adams (Arnold), Laura Gray, and Kathy Joshua (Eddie) of Kansas City, KS, and Lorene Taylor (Larry) of Raytown, MO, and three sons, Willie Grayson of Little Rock, AR, Edward Charles Grayson (Diane) of Grandview, MO, and Tommy Grayson (Marcia) of Lee’s Summit, MO; Sister, Hattie Nelson of Kansas City, MO; and sister-in-law, Faydell Grayson, Florida; 12 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren; and a host of relatives, church family, and friends.

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