Felicia Carolyn "Grisby" Gaither, 49, of White Plains, Maryland. On Friday, September 10, 2021, Felicia Gaither, devoted wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, loyal daughter, caring sister, dedicated educator, and fond friend, unexpectedly departed this life for the next in La Plata, Md., after a brief illness.

Felicia was born to Pastor Charles Grisby and First Lady Erma Grisby in Fresno, CA, on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1971. She graduated Edison High School in 1989 and went on to attend Fresno City College. Later, she met and married Navy sailor Damon Gaither, Sr., on September 4, 1993, and with whom she celebrated their 28th anniversary just six-days prior to her passing. When her husband received orders for Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Felicia relocated to Maryland to be with him.

After Damon's completion of military service, Felicia and their growing family moved to White Plains, Md., where they built a home in the Kingsview neighborhood becoming and remaining one of the original homeowners in their community. She was a former employee of Civista Hospital, now known as University of Maryland Charles Regional, for more than seven years but then decided to become a stay-at-home mother/wife to raise her five children. During that time, she helped provide before-and-after care to many children of the Kingsview neighborhood. As her own kids reached school age, she worked for the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), with whom she was employed at the time of her passing. Felicia initially began as a Substitute Teacher at several different schools including Matthew Henson Middle School and Westlake and Henry Lackey High Schools. Our dear Felicia went on to secure a permanent position with CCPS in 2015. Initially and briefly, she worked in support of the Transportation Division but soon advanced and found her passion at Maurice J. McDonough High School as a Teacher's Assistant. Felicia's gift was helping the students and ensuring their well-being. She enjoyed her job and loved the students as her own. In complement, they loved and respected her, too.

In addition to her husband and parents, Felicia leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: daughter, Jae'Mesha Cyrus [Dallas, TX]; sons: Damon "DJ" Gaither, Jr., Dezmon Gaither, Darius Gaither, and Deonte "Canaan" Gaither [all of White Plains, MD]; one grandson, Dylan Whitfield [Dallas, TX]; one impendent granddaughter, Gianna Gaither; two sisters: Fitima Grisby (Marcus, Sr.) Melton [Dallas, TX] and Dorisha Grisby [Fresno, CA]; two brothers: Nathaniel (Anna Marie) Grisby [Fresno, CA] and Charles "Richie" Grisby [San Diego, CA]; sister-in-law, Dana Gaither [Baltimore, MD]; nephew, Marcus Melton, Jr. [Dallas, TX]; niece, Brianna Melton [Houston, TX], and a host of other relatives, friends, co-workers, students, and neighbors.

Interment private.