Anthony Dwayne Grant

Anthony Dwayne Grant was a handsome, funny, warm, loving and protective son, brother, father, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to us all.  Sadly, our Anthony passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 7, 2021. He will be forever missed.

Anthony was born on November 3, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York. He was a true New Yorker and loved New York with his entire heart and soul. Anthony was the firstborn child of Deana Anna Hawkins of Jacksonville, NC and Willie Cleo Grant of Vance, SC. Anthony loved both of his parents dearly but we think his Dad was his favorite. Anthony sweetly called his mother Ma and he would always say “Hey, Ma” when he greeted her with a hug. Anthony adored and fiercely protected his little sister, Erika Janene Grant Harris, from her bullies and any boys that dared to approach her. Erika is also better known as Anthony Grant’s sister. Anthony loved to listen to rap music and he even wrote his own rhymes. He played the trumpet and loved music. He loved the New York Yankees and enjoyed playing baseball outside with his friends when he was growing up. His cousin Dawna “Nonie” Tully taught him to play baseball when he was three years old and she said he was a natural. He loved going to Yankee games with his Aunt Venus. He loved shopping on Delancey Street for new school clothes and was known to wear his old clothes to school for the first 2 weeks of the new school year and then “bust out” with his new stuff after everyone else had already worn all of their new clothes. He was a bit of a class clown as well. He loved to keep people laughing and entertained. Anthony’s favorite meal was boiled crabs just like his daughter, Latifah.

Anthony grew up as a member of Rock Hill AME Church in Vance, SC. He graduated from Holly Hill-Roberts High School in 1983. After a few years of working in Orangeburg, SC, Anthony moved back to New York where he really wanted to be. Anthony’s heart belonged to New York. For many years, Anthony lived at St. Francis Residence in the Chelsea area of New York, New York. He was well-known in the area by the local shop owners and restaurant owners. He was loved by all of the residents and staff at St. Francis. They referred to him as their big teddy bear.

NEW YORK CITY FOREVER!!

Anthony was welcomed to Heaven by his grandmothers, Elouise Prezzy Grant and Corrine Rhodes, and his grandfathers, Bishop Grant and Domingos Correia Varela. He was also greeted by his step-mother, Malqueen Grant, Aunt Carol and Uncle Edward Wilson, Aunt Paula Harbison,  Aunt Ruth Davis and his recently departed cousin, Maria Jamie Ray. Anthony always called Maria Jamie Ray and Lisa Angel Ray his beautiful cousins and he was happy to see Maria there to hug him and give him her beautiful smile.

 Anthony’s memory will be cherished by his Mom, Dad and his daughters, Latifah Lashay Conway and Adrienne Yvette Washington. He will be missed by his grandchildren, La’Jayda Desiree Wannamaker and Noah Wharton. Anthony was the best big brother to his siblings, Erika (Byron), Sherri Palmer, Juanita Johnson (Ralph), Tequia Owens (Kenny) and Ulysses Lee Grant (Adrienne) and his step-brother, Keith Pearson. His memory will also be cherished by Zadie Palmer-Brown (Sherri’s mother), Juliette Conway Cummings (Latifah’s mother) and Angela Washington (Adrienne’s mother). Anthony will be greatly missed by his aunts, Venus Hannifin, Mae Ola Brown,  Gladys Hazel, and his uncles, Nathaniel Grant, Willard Hawkins and Robert Brown. He will be missed by his cousins, Maurice Brown and Darnell Brown. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews, Anthony Joseph Reynolds, Brianna Corinne Nichole Harris, Quincy Taylor Noted Grant, Akila Waller, Sadiya Waller, Malik Johnson, Keyshawn Johnson and Sade Lind. Anthony will also be remembered by the countless family members and friends who loved him. 

This is not goodbye, Ant. You will be here in our hearts. We will see you later. Now you’re in New York. These streets will make you feel brand new. Big lights will inspire you. Let’s hear it for New York, New York, New York. Peace. Until we meet again.

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