‘His legacy will go on forever’: Grandson of founder left own mark on Grier Heights
Horseshoes clicked in Grier Heights on Wednesday afternoon, as two black horses led a carriage down Skyland Avenue and a saxophone and trombone crooned “When The Saints Go Marching In.”
Hundreds stood in front of Grier Heights Presbyterian Church, some singing along and others crying, as they watched the family of one of Grier Heights’ most prominent leaders, Arthur Grier Jr., march behind his casket. Grier, known to most as just “Gene,” died Sept. 22 at the age of 77.
Family and friends remembered him with affection and respect for his contributions to the community.
Born in Charlotte in 1943, Grier graduated from Second Ward High School in what used to be Charlotte’s Brooklyn community, and he later attended Florida A&M University. Grier served in the Army for three years and then attended the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science before returning home to Charlotte — and to the community he was reared in and that his grandfather helped create.
His grandfather, Arthur S. Grier, was one of Charlotte’s first Black developers. What started as a small grocery store in 1909 expanded to become Grier Heights, one of the city’s most close-knit Black communities. His grandfather wanted to create an affordable, welcoming place for Black soldiers returning from war, and was committed to ensuring the community’s growth and success of its residents.
Grier’s grandfather called Charlotte “a great town with great possibilities for years to come,” in an interview with the Observer in 1955.
Following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Grier led the funeral home they started, which was originally constructed in 1964. Under his direction, the business thrived, and he took extraordinary time and care to make sure his clients felt comfortable, said his son Allen Grier, who now leads the funeral home along with his brother Arthur Grier III.
“He absolutely put a lot of time in the craft. Anybody in the business will tell you the only difference is service,” Allen Grier said. “He went above and beyond … everybody had a decent home-going.”
Allen Grier described his father as a “trendsetter” in Charlotte’s funeral industry and well-loved by everyone, an opinion shared by close friend George Wallace, a former city leader and head of the Grier Heights Association.
Wallace, who was only 10 days older than Grier, grew up with him.
“We were closer than friends. We were brothers,” Wallace said. “Gene would do anything for you. He was a good, good man, a soft-hearted man.”
The childhood friends only parted ways for college, and then both returned to Grier Heights to further its development. Their grandfathers and fathers were friends before them.
“The Grier family was very instrumental in the community’s success,” Wallace said. “They thought it was vital that people who lived in the neighborhood were given a chance to lead a better life. I think more than anything, Gene wanted to preserve that neighborhood.”
The love Grier had for the community was easily seen and returned at the parade and viewing, as current and former Grier Heights residents came together to celebrate his life.
Crystal Little described it as a “family reunion.”
She said her family wanted to pay their respects because Grier was a longtime close family friend.
“I think his legacy will go on forever because his two sons are still here. I don’t think that impact will go away,” she said. “The Grier Heights name speaks for itself.”
The family is hosting a wake at 5 p.m. Thursday at A. E. Grier & Sons Chapel, and the funeral will take place at 12 p.m. Friday at Victory Christian Center.
This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 4:49 PM.
