Grace B. Weiss

Grace B. Weiss, 98, of Hendersonville and formerly of Miami Beach, Fla., died on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at her residence.

She was born on Dec. 20, 1914, in Hardin, Mo., to the late Verta and William Babbitt. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Weiss. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Blumbach, as well as her son-in-law, Dr. Robert Bass.

In 1945 Grace met and married the love of her life, Jessie Weiss, while he was stationed in Champaign, Ill. After Jessie was discharged from the service they headed to Miami Beach to run the family business, Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant, which had opened in 1913. Grace was a smart beautiful lady who instantly found her niche working side by side with her husband in the restaurant business. Grace was perfectly content to remain behind the scenes while embracing the entire "Joe's" staff as if they were her family. Jessie and Grace retired to Hendersonville in the early 1980's.

She is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Sawitz Bass of Miami Beach; two grandchildren: Stephen Sawitz and Jodi Sawitz Hershey of Miami Beach; four great grandchildren: Jessica Uchuya and her husband, Jose, Lauren Walton, and Julia Michelle Sawitz, all of Miami; and Blayke Koganovsky, of New York Citty and two great-great grandchildren: Alexandria Uchuya and Iyana Jo Walton both of Miami.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel in Hendersonville. Entombment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Grace to Habitat for Humanity, 1111 Keith St., Hendersonville, NC 28792 or a local food bank of the donor's choice.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.