Lewisburg-Gracie H. Deitz, 80, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 at her home in Aynor, SC. She was surrounded by family in her last days at home, and was able to celebrate her 80th birthday, on Nov. 8 with them. She lived what she’d call “a good and beautiful life” married to her husband of almost 60 years, Ashby Deitz. Together they raised three children and continued to create a beautiful family legacy with their five grandchildren.
Grace was a nurturer at heart and made everyone she met feel truly loved and seen. If you knew her, you certainly knew the deep love she had for her husband, George “Ashby” Deitz; children, “George” Ashby Deitz II, David Deitz and wife Stacey, and Patricia Deitz; her grandchildren, Hunter Deitz, Abby Grace Griffith and husband Shane, Kylie Deitz, Jake McGilvray, and George “Ashby” Deitz III; as well, as many other extended family members and friends including, two lifelong friendships with Elma Lee Green and Marty Burns, whom she loved dearly.
Family was always of the upmost importance to Grace, and the greatest job she had was surely that as a wife, mother, and grandmother (her personal favorite). Her home was a place of comfort, joy, good company, and often filled with the aroma of her homemade bread. You never left Grace’s home hungry. She showed her love for others through making them a warm meal and always lived life with an open door to anyone that needed a place to be loved, comforted, heard, or simply fed.
Grace believed completely that Jesus was her savior and His love would hold her all the days of her life. She lived out her faith as a devout member of Lewisburg United Methodist Church, of Lewisburg and previously Fairlea Presbyterian Church, Fairlea. Here she served in women’s ministries, Sunday school, the choir, and every church dinner/luncheon. She found deep joy in serving others, and her church family was no exception. With her devoted life to the Lord, she was able to share His love with everyone she met, through her gentle/kind spirit and joyous heart. Her faith especially influenced the hearts of her immediate family, as all agree: to know her, was to know the Lord’s love for you. The warmth she exuded could be felt by all and was a wonderful gift. Amazing Grace, she truly was.
Grace will be deeply missed by her surviving family members, including her sister, Emma Freeman; sisters-in-law, Doris Hinkle, Dreama Johnston, and Imogene Newcomer.
She was proceeded in death by her brothers, Bedford Hinkle and wife Carol, and Eddie Hinkle; brothers-in-law, Carl Newcomer, John Johnston, and William Freeman; as well as her parents.
A ceremony to celebrate the life of Grace H. Deitz will be held at 11 a.m., Dec. 2 at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home. Visitation will take place for an hour before the service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Rosewood Cemetery at Lewisburg. The memorial service at 11 a.m. will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.
Instead of sending flowers to the family, please donate to a food bank near you this holiday season in honor of Grace, who never wanted anyone to go hungry. May Grace’s loving, gentle, and nurturing spirit continue to shine down on her family and all those who had the privilege of knowing her.
