Mr. Robert Granville

****NOTE: A SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY FOR MR. ROBERT GRANVILLE WILL BE HELD AT FIRST UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024. ******VISITATIONS AND SERVICE TIMES ARE LISTED BELOW *****PLEASE NOTE: MASKS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST---THE CHURCH WILL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING. _____________________________________ ***The DVD Memorial Tribute will be available soon _____________________________________ OBITUARY Robert Granville went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Born on November 18, 1931, in Osceola, Arkansas, Robert was the son of Rosa Lee and Jefferson Granville. Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He dedicated his life to the well-being of his family, providing unwavering support and love. His legacy will continue on through the many generations of Granville’s he was responsible for giving life to, a fact that he was proud of. Robert loved the music of the era (John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Count Basie) and learned to play the saxophone in his early years. He left home at age 16 with saxophone in hand to make a life for himself and later joined the army and served in the Korean war. After serving in the army, he pursued higher education through the GI Bill, earning a Bachelor of Arts in music from Jackson State University where he pledged membership in the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He began teaching music and directing the marching band at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early to mid-1960s. His impact on his students fostered lifelong friendships. During these years he and friends frequently played in bands at nightclubs throughout the south on the weekends. Robert left his family in Jackson Mississippi in the late sixties to attend Western Michigan University where he earned a Masters degree in Psychology and Counseling. After living in Kalamazoo for this time and after his wife Edna visited for a period of time they decided that Kalamazoo offered a better life for their family. He moved his family from Jackson Mississippi to Kalamazoo Michigan in June of 1969. He worked at Western Michigan University and was the first black counselor at the college as an academic advisor to college students. He then moved on to work as a personal counselor for clients at State Technical Rehabilitation Center in Delton, MI. These jobs propelled him into his career in substance abuse counseling in Kalamazoo for Gateway Services where he excelled in the counseling and support of residents within the Kalamazoo community who were suffering with substance abuse issues. Robert, as one of the founders, brought recovery to the Northside of Kalamazoo with the opening of the Safe House. Providing a safe place for many of Kalamazoo’s black residents to engage in 12 step meetings and individual counseling services which they hadn’t previously had access to in their own neighborhood. Robert later in life joined Mt. Zion Baptist church where he assisted in teaching Sunday school. He left Mt. Zion to join First United Baptist church where his wife Edna was a member. He was a devoted member who taught Sunday school in the men's group. Robert was united in marriage to Edna Granville in 1955. Together, they raised three children: Rosa Denise, Robert Eliot Sr., and Charles Kenyatta. In 2012, Robert lost the love of his life, Edna. He spent the next 12 years keeping her memory alive by pouring into his children and grandchildren. Nothing meant more to him than spending time with family. Robert was an avid sports fan and spent a lot of his free time watching basketball and football games on tv. His favorite teams were the Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons. Robert also enjoyed spending time with his group of friends at the Ecumenical Senior Center in Kalamazoo. Robert was preceded in death by: his wife Edna, his daughter Denise, his nephew Charles, his parents Rosa Lee and Jefferson and his siblings Louisa, Mildred, Lillian, Jeffrey, Joseph, John, and Emile. Robert leaves to cherish his memory: his children Robert Sr., Charles Kenyatta and his ex-wife Gail; grandchildren: Takishia, Robert Jr., Sonya, Jasmine and her wife Michaela, Melissa, and Cassandra; great grandchildren: Cornelius, Rico, Omar, Raekwon, Isaiah, Naomi, Micah, Nalaya, Jeremiah, and Indigo Sol; great-great grandchildren: E’Lyla, Ali’Onna, and Havier Robert's life was a testament to the power of love, dedication, and service. His influence will continue to be felt through the many lives he touched.

Mr. Robert Granville

November 18, 1931 - August 29, 2024