Mrs. Gracie Pearl "Grace" Gilbert McBryde, of Tarboro, died on March 3, 2015, at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital.

She was born in the Parkton community of Robeson County, a daughter of the late Lacy Earl Sr., and Ada Jackson Gilbert. Following her graduation from Parkton High School, Grace attended Campbell University and completed a bachelor's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Grace thoroughly enjoyed her career as an educator. She taught students in the Garner and Fayetteville, and Birmingham, Alabama public schools and substituted for teachers in Tarboro public schools. In 2013, she received recognition for maintaining 50 years of membership in Delta Kappa Gamma educators' sorority.

During her many years of residency in Tarboro, Mrs. McBryde participated in the religious and civic life of the community. She was a long-term member of the Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church. Grace was an active member and past officer of the Edgecombe Garden Club. In recent years, the club established an annual award in her name to recognize outstanding service among new members of the organization. Grace also led the efforts to establish the McBryde Nature Trail to honor her husband's memory. She also served previously on the state level committee of the North Carolina Garden Clubs to promote roadside beautification. Mrs. McBryde also promoted the future growth of the community through her support of the education efforts of Edgecombe Community College.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Lacy McBryde; her sister, Ruby Gilbert Barnes; and her twin brother, Lacy Earl Gilbert Jr.

Surviving family members include her niece, Gloria Gilbert Cloninger, and her husband, Kenneth; two great-nieces, Erin Cloninger and Lauren Cloninger Timmerman and her husband, Jacob; and several extended family members. Rev. Benjamin Kane officiated a private service of Christian burial at Sardis Cemetery, Linden, on March 5, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be directed to the Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, 303 E. St. James St., Tarboro, N.C., 27886, or to the McBryde Scholarship Fund, Edgecombe Community College, 2009 W. Wilson St., Tarboro, N.C., 27886.