John Legend shares emotional tribute to his late grandmother: ‘May she Rest In Peace after running a great race’
John Legend is carrying around a heavy heart with the sad news of his grandmother’s passing on Tuesday, February 2.
The family’s beloved matriarch, Marjorie Maxine Stephens, died in the early morning hours just days short of her 91st birthday.
And in a touching tribute on Instagram, the 11-time Grammy-winner honored ‘her full blessed life’ by painting the picture of a woman who was an eternal light of love and support for her family until her final moments on Planet Earth.
Heartfelt: John Legend honored his grandmother, Marjorie Maxine Stephens, following her passing on Tuesday, February 2, just days shy of her 91st birthday
‘We are so grateful for the life she lived, for the love she shared with her many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and beyond,’ Legend (born John Roger Stephens) shared in his lengthy tribute.
The Heaven musician called her ‘the most caring and conscientious grandmother you could imagine’, who sent all her immediate family birthday cards with money up until her passing.
‘She hosted our yearly Christmas celebrations until we literally couldn’t fit in her little pink house on Heard Avenue in Springfield, Ohio,’ he continued.
Legend made a point of sharing about how his grandmother was still ‘active and full of curiosity and energy’ in her final years, and that she remained stalwart with her unconditional love and support for the family.
Quality time: Granny got to spend time with Legend’s children he shares with wife Chrissy Teigen; Mrs. Stephens is pictured with Luna in May 2016
The 11-time Grammy-winner honored his grandmother’s ‘full blessed life’, and
The musician, who’s one of 16 people, and the first Black man, to have won all four EGOT awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), expressed gratitude that his grandmother was able to enjoy his and his family’s success.
‘I’m so glad she got to see the fruits of all she gave us. She got to travel the world with us, went to my first Grammys. She got to experience the successes of all her offspring,’ he said with obvious pride.
‘We are the family we are, the individuals we are because of the love she poured into us.’
The Ohio native concluded by celebrating a life that was well lived.
‘We are sad to lose her but most of all so appreciative of the full, blessed life she lived. May she Rest In Peace after running a great race.’
RIP: ‘We are the family we are, the individuals we are because of the love she poured into us,’ Legend, 42, shared in his emotional tribute to his grandmother