2 Timothy 4:7–8: "I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me.”

Tara Monique Harrington Grace was born on October 7, 1980, in Wadesboro, North Carolina, to the late Monroe Harrington and Tommicenia Pratt-Harrington. She departed this life on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Forsyth Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She graduated from Anson Senior High School in 1998. Tara excelled academically and athletically in school and on the track and field; she earned her high school diploma at the age of 17 as well as her certification as a nursing assistant. As a Sophomore in high school, she received the rank of Master Sergeant in JROTC, earning her the distinguished classification as the youngest person to ever hold the title.

After high school, she entered the illustrious campus of Winston-Salem State University as a Nursing major. She then attended ECPI University Greensboro, to advance her studies. Tara started her medical career with Novant Health in 1998 with The Oaks at Forsyth. She later transferred to Forsyth Medical Center where she worked on the Mother Baby Unit for several years. After the hospital, Tara ventured to Forsyth Comprehensive Neurology (later Novant Health Neurology and Sleep) in Winston-Salem. She worked alongside and under the leadership of the top neurologists in the nation, including Dr. Howard Kraft, Dr. Olukayode O. Onasanya, and Dr. Michael Verenes. Tara’s final position with Novant Health was with Care Connections.

Tara joined Fence Builders in 2024. Although it was a major change in her career, it was one that she felt was necessary. She absolutely loved the small setting, love of a close-knit family, and the relationships she created. She was the zest and highlight the office loved. They described her as a “hard worker, consistent worker, and brought so much light and laughs in a stressful environment.”

Tara was nurtured and reared at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Morven, North Carolina; a foundation she carried with her as a young child into her adulthood. She was under profound leadership and guidance, including that of her former pastor and spiritual father, Pastor Billy Grier, Jr., of Charlotte, North Carolina. Tara so loved God, and He loved her as evidenced by her life and the love she spread to those she met.

On March 27, 2010, she married the love of her life, her forever ending, the one she affectionately called her “Booger,” Charles Edward Grace, Jr. To this union, Charles and Tara gave birth to their beautiful children, Tristen Divine Grace and London Ava Grace. Tara’s children were the absolute joys of her life. Everything she did, she centered around them.

Tara was preceded in death by her father, Monroe Harrington, of Wadesboro, North Carolina; grandparents, Joseph and Charlotte Harrington of Lilesville, North Carolina, Kennice Pratt, of Morven, North Carolina, and Thomas McCauley of Maryland; her aunts, Linda Pratt-McCain, Ruby Harrington-McClendon, Elnora Harrington-Pratt, Leola Harrington-Marshall, and Eliza Harrington-Spencer; her uncles, William C. Harrington, Casey Harrington, Henry Harrington, Sam Harrington, Johnny Harrington, and Vernon Pratt; special and close cousins, Jovan Williams (Pratt) and Timothy Richardson.

Those left to cherish Tara’s beautiful memories are her husband, Charles Edward Grace, Jr.; her children, Tristen Divine and London Ava Grace of the home; her mother, Tommicenia Pratt-Harrington of Wadesboro, NC; her sister, Turquoise Nichole “Nikki” (Amondo) Harrington-Bennett of Wadesboro, NC; her brothers, Steven Monroe Harrington, of Wadesboro, NC, and James Travis Burch, of Charlotte, NC; her father and mother-in-law, Charles Edward (Rose) Grace, Sr., of Lilesville, NC; sisters-in Law, Tammy Grace-Bennett of Lilesville, NC, and Melissa Byrd-Cole of Hamlet, NC; brothers-in-Law, Jeffery (Tonya) Parson of Lilesville, NC, Anthony (Cassandra) Grace of Wadesboro, NC, and Tyrone (Setrina) Byrd of Wingate, NC; aunts, Debra Pratt of Wadesboro, NC, and Wincy Harrington of Wadesboro, NC; uncles, Garry Pratt of Wadesboro, NC, and Jasper Marshall of Lilesville, NC; nieces and nephews, Taylor Bennett, Kimyatta Bennett, Beyonce Bennett, Jada Parson, Felicity Leak, Samantha Byrd, Anthony Grace, Jr., Dytrelle Marshall, Daquez Grace, Damarias Knotts, JaQuavia Parson, and Javone Bennett; her best friend, Nakisha “My G” Isom of Winston-Salem, NC; longtime friend and collegemate, LaKresha McIver, God-children, Chyna Pickett and Michael LeGrande; cousins who are more like siblings, Casey “Dino” Harrington, Jr., Cynthia Harrington-Cash, Sandra Harrington-Sturdivant, Leroy “Junebug” Harrington, James Chambers, Jr., Lakina Pratt, Ashley Pratt, Juan Pratt, Kim Gaddy, and Quennetta Kirby-Thomas; lifetime and childhood friends, Shondrell Easterling, Angel LeGrande, and Camilla Livingston; former colleagues and friends, Cheryl “SC” Landingham, Lisa Morris, Delfonte Duncan, and Glenda Dowell Brown; and a host of other family members, classmates, and close friends. Tara shared a close, inseparable bond with her brother-in-law, Amondo, whom she affectionately called, “Timon.”

There will be no public viewing at the funeral home on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, September 19, 2026 at Red Bank Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Gardens of Memory, Walkertown, NC. The family visitation and viewing will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Saturday at the Church.