Leona Merle Grant was born in Sallisaw, OK on October 20,1926. Merle is the daughter of Maxie & Besse Wasson. The family moved to Wasco in 1932, where she attended Wasco schools and graduated from Wasco High School in 1944. She became a Life Member of the California Scholarship Association.

Merle married Loran S. Grant, whose parents were among the early pioneers of Wasco, on March 10, 1944. They had 4 children: Jill, Janet, Loran D. and Ray. Her career was wife and mother to her family.

Merle's interest in community service began in 1955 when she re-activated the 4-H Home Economics Club. She served on the Kern County Council of 4-H for 7 years. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother in the 1950's.

She was the 'angel' in the local music group, "The Four Saints and an Angel". That group played at various social and civic gatherings for 25 years. Merle was a faithful member of the First Methodist Church, then the First Baptist Church, which combined with the First Congregational Church to become Grace Community Church. She was active as a Sunday School teacher, an AWANA leader, held many offices in Women's Fellowship, was a Teaching Leader of Bible Study Fellowship for 2 years and led Bible Studies for young women for 13 years. She was very involved with National Day of Prayer for the city of Wasco.  Merle was Awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the city of Wasco in 1996.

Merle served with her husband, Loran, in the Evangelistic Crusades in much of the United States and 20 countries, including Russia and Tonga. While on one of the trips, a strong friendship was forged in Sri Lanka with the parents of a young seminary student. Their son, Ajith Fernando became a frequent guest of the Grants during school holidays. Dr. Fernando's book on Deuteronomy was dedicated to Loran and Merle, along with 2 other couples. She was on the Wasco High School Board for 8 years and truly enjoyed visiting the classrooms. Merle was a member of Freedom's Foundation at Valley Forge, was a member and held several offices in the Wasco Woman's Club and was in the Alpha and Omega Parliamentary Law Club.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Maxie and Besse Wasson, sister Marjorie Faschel, husband Loran, and daughter-in-law Jan Grant. She is survived by brother Jim Wasson, daughter Jill Grant (Shellie & Phil Ogino, Kimberly Franks), daughter Janet Stephenson (Michael & Regina Beveridge, Michael & Jodi Stephenson, Leslie & Cory Banta, Denise & Chad Dessert & Matthew Stephenson), son Loran Grant (Wesley & Charlotte Grant, Michelle & Oscar Sandoval, Beth & Dave Buck), son Ray Grant (Thomas & Natalia Grant, Kathleen Grant, Kishna Grant), 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews and very special friends.

A special thanks to the staff at Hoffman Hospice Hospital. Merle chose to stay there until her end, because of their loving care.

Donations may be made to Grace Community Church for a memorial fund that will be distributed to Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka and Hoffman Hospice.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 1 from 3pm till 7pm at Peters Funeral Home, Wasco.

A graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, March 2 at 10am at the Wasco Memorial Park for Leona Merle Grant, age 97, who passed away February 22, 2024 in Bakersfield. A memorial service will follow at 11am at Grace Community Church, 1544 7th Street, Wasco.