Kathryn (Underwood) Grayson

Kathryn A. Grayson, the daughter of the late Alonzy Underwood Sr. and Ruby (Murphy) Underwood, was born on August 13, 1936. She was the third oldest of 14 children. She departed this life on Monday, June 30, 2025, at LIJ hospital in New Hyde Park, NY. She was 88 years old. Family and friends affectionately knew Kathryn as NaNa. A nickname her first grandson gave her.

Kathryn (Boot Underwood), as she was known early in life, grew up on a farm in Wallace, North Carolina. She always spoke of her early role in the family as the one who was in charge of household duties and taking care of the younger siblings who were closest to her in age. She also helped raise several of her younger first cousins.

Kathryn attended Charity High School in Rose Hill, NC. She moved to New York in 1958 and returned home for two years before moving to New York for good in 1961. Kathryn had four children: a daughter, Audrey, Twins, Dennis and Denise, and a son, Norman Grayson, Jr., from Kathryn’s marriage to Norman B. Grayson, Sr. in 1965. That same year, Kathryn began her career with the NYC Board of Education working at Public School 159.

 Kathryn leaves behind to cherish her memories, her sister, Daisy Underwood of Newark, NJ, her two daughters Audrey Underwood-Williams (Willie “Bud”) of New York, and Denise Kennedy of New York, one son Norman B. Grayson Jr. (Erica) of New York, Daughter-in-law June Underwood, NY. Four grandsons, Paul Martin Sanderson III, NY, Dennis Jerry Underwood, NY, Jalen Bernard Grayson, NY, and Darryl Charles Lewis Kennedy, NY. She also leaves three granddaughters, Denise Robinson, MD, Jenise Autumn Grayson, NY, and Janell Madison Grayson, NY, five sister-in-laws, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends.;

In addition to her parents, Kathryn was preceded in death by her son, Dennis Underwood and 12 of her siblings: Arlene (News), Lonzy Jr (Bud), James (Pete), Lynell, Mary (Tit), Willis (Moody Boy), Jimmy, Ronnie, Mack, Lewis (Bate), John, (Buckbee), Billie

Kathryn had a long and fruitful life. She served the lord, served her community, and for over 10 years she was the matriarch of the family she loved until the lord called her home on June 30, 2025. Rest in peace, Kathryn. Those of us remaining could only hope to have a portion of the wisdom, strength, courage, compassion, generosity, and faith that you possessed. We love you and will miss you dearly.

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