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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE DEATH OF LUCILLE JACKSON GRANT OF CHARLESTON AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Lucille Jackson Grant of Charleston on March 4, 2012, at the venerable age of eighty-one; and
Whereas, one of the great cooks of Charleston was laid to rest Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Emanuel AME Church Cemetery. Many a head was bowed in homage to this iconic Charlestonian of long-lived culinary fame; and
Whereas, fondly known as "Snookie" to family and friends, Lucille Grant was a powerful force in a not-too-removed era when much of the Lowcountry's culinary reputation was shaped not by restaurant chefs, but by African-American women who worked primarily in private homes; and
Whereas, the fifth in a family of eleven, Mrs. Grant came to Charleston when she was thirteen. By her late teens, she had begun working outside the home for various Charleston families. She also married Chancy Thomas Grant and raised a large family of her own, all the while working outside the home, often for long stretches; and
Whereas, to the rhythm of her family life and a high-society calendar of dinners and social affairs, Mrs. Grant, the granddaughter of a slave, became an unwitting but leading ambassador for the Lowcountry cuisine now celebrated as a national treasure; and
Whereas, over her fifty years as a cook and domestic, she impressed with her "Chicken Country Captain," she-crab soup, bacon-draped venison, and oyster and sweet potato pies, to name but a few of her specialties. She didn't go to cooking school; she simply taught herself how to make elegant the bounty of fresh vegetables, fish and seafood, and meat and game she was raised on in Awendaw; and
Whereas, in time, her talent attracted serious attention, and she received coverage in the New York Times, Vogue, Jet, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Noted New York film critic Rex Reed once came to Charleston during Spoleto Festival USA with the intention of staying three days. But he ended up staying a week longer because he couldn't get enough of Lucille Grant's chicken salad and tomato aspic; and
Whereas, those who had the privilege of knowing her were "impressed with her kindness and grace, her unflappable bearing and countenance even under stress, and her profound wisdom," as one friend expressed it; and
Whereas, preceded in death by her beloved husband, Chancy Thomas Grant, and sons Kenneth, Bruce, and Kevin, she leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Velma, Lynn, and Debra; five sons, Thomas, Clayton, Albert, Bernard, and Darwin; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends. She will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the death of Lucille Jackson Grant of Charleston and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Thomas Grant for the family.
This web page was last updated on April 17, 2012 at 12:11 PM