Born on November 8, 1925, in Hanover County, Grace Vernell Norbrey died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in Winston-Salem NC. Following her graduation from Virginia Union University in 1944, Grace taught science and mathematics in Spotsylvania, Stafford Counties, and Fredericksburg VA. The family moved to Petersburg, Virginia, in 1960, and Grace served with distinction in the Petersburg High School system for twenty years . She obtained a Master's of Science degree from Virginia State University in 1965; and. in 1983 she completed her Doctorate of Education degree in Higher Education at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

After retiring from the school system in 1984, she accepted a position as Virginia State University's (VSU) Coordinator of the Virginia Land Ownership Information Project. In that position, she traveled throughout Virginia conducting workshops sessions which informed landowners of their property rights. Additionally, she authored several land loss publications. In 1994 she retired from VSU as an assistant professor.

When the family moved from Fredericksburg to Petersburg in 1960, she became an energetic member of Zion Baptist church and held a number of leadership positions.in community social organizations. In The Moles, Inc., she was National Editor of the Yearbook, National Resolutions Chairman, and president of the Petersburg chapter of the Moles. She was charter president of the Petersburg chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, founded and was first president of the Chesterfield Alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, served as president of the Petersburg Alumni chapter and was a charter member of the Fredericksburg Alumni chapter. In the Chums organization, she was a charter member of the Petersburg chapter. Throughout her life, she was devoted.to her family, church, and community

She now joins her husband Maurice of fifty- three years and will live in the memoirs of her devoted daughters, Muriel Beth Hopkins (David) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Nancy Mauricee Holmes (Robert) of Richmond, Virginia; three beloved grandchildren, Michelle and David Hopkins of Winston-Salem, and Camilla Holmes of Richmond, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and loving friends.

Memorial services will be held at 12:30pm Monday, April 1, 2013 at Zion Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA. Interment will be held at 11:30am Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in Shiloh Cemeter, Fredericksburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Grace Norbrey Scholarship Fund which has been established for high school graduating seniors pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math career paths. Donations may be sent to the Richmond Technical Center % Beth Hopkins, 4108 Ryan Way South, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.