Grace Merryman Sheaffer, 84, of Leonardtown, MD died December 3, 2006 in St. Mary's Nursing Center, Leonardtown, MD.

Born June 27, 1922 in Washington, DC, she was the daughter of the late Earl A. Merryman and Grace Glick Merryman. In June 1940, Grace graduated from Eastern High School, Washington, DC. In 1945, Grace married her husband, John M. Sheaffer, Jr.

In April 1947, she was appointed as Postmaster of the Colton Point Post Office which led her and John to purchase the Potomac Gardens general store in Colton Point, MD. The couple operated the store from 1946 to 1949, when they moved to Tall Timbers, MD, and entered into a partnership in the grocery business trading as Garner and Sheaffer. Several years later, the couple owned and operated Sheaffer's Food Mart until their retirement in 1978.

Grace was a member of Julia Hall Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star #107 from 1953 to present. She received her 50-year anniversary pin in 2003. Grace and John served as Worthy Matrol and Worthy Patrol together in 1963 and 1982. She served in all offices of the Chapter, and also served as Grand Electa to the Grand Chapter of Maryland in 2001-2002.

Grace was also a member of the local NARFE Chapter; she attended several conventions and served as an officer. She served as a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Mary's Home for the Elderly, Leonardtown, MD. She was a member of The Friends of St. Clements Island and Piney Point Museum, and also served on the museum Board of Directors.

She was an active member of the St. George Island United Methodist Church where she served on the church's Board of Directors. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women.

Grace loved to get involved in any organization that needed help. She was a great lady who made friends wherever she went.

She is survived by her uncle, Bert Glick, and nephew, Brian Glick, both of Oxon Hill, MD, sister-in-law, Norma Copado, nephew, John Gregory Copado, niece, Shirley Copado, great niece, Michelle Pederson, all of Leonardtown, MD, great nephews, Walter Copado of PA, and John Gregory Copado II of Fort Drum, NY, great- great nephew, Brandon Copado, and a great- great niece, Madison Copado, both of New York, and her Eastern Star family, church family, and numerous friends. Grace is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her nephew, Pat Glick of Oxon Hill, MD.

Eastern Star services will be held December 7, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.

Family will receive friends Thursday, December 7, 2006 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD, with prayers being recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted Friday, December 8, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in St. George United Methodist Church, Piney Point, MD.

Serving as pallbearers are Walter Copado, John Gregory Copado, Merle Evans, Jimmy Duke, Robert (Puggy) Russell, and Jackie Bowes. Honarary pallbearer is William Dent.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Burn Center, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607-1460.