Grace Rose (Caputo) Ferrara

Grace Rose Ferrara (AKA Mama Grace) passed into the Arms of the Lord Jesus on Tuesday, April 26, at 11:57 PM, after a final bout with lung related illnesses. She was under the care of Vitas Hospice when she passed on while living at the Tiffany on the River Assisted Living Facility in New Smyrna Beach. She was attended by the Vitas CNA, her Son Joseph, Daughter in Law Laurie and her friends Lorraine Knapp and Ann Delong. She is survived by her two Sisters, Carol Lawton and Maria Cauto Mangano of Manhattan, NYC, her son Joseph and family and her daughter Maria and her family. She had three children (Joseph, Michael and Maria), 5 Grandchildren (Hannah, Grace, Abigail, Allysia and Bianca) and 5 Great Grandchildren (Ella, Elisha, Elim, Ephaim and Elias).

Mama Grace was born in Brooklyn, NYC on September 16, 1927 to her parents, the late Michael and Louise Caputo. She had an interest in singing at an early age and by the time she was 20 years old was taking private voice lessons in Manhattan, for a number of years, finally having parts in Operas off Broadway such as the Pirates of Penzance and Madam Butterfly. During this time period, she met John Joseph Ferrara from Trenton, NJ in 1950 while he was playing classical piano music at a dinner party in Manhattan. John was a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and was getting started in his music career at that time. The two were smitten with each other and married on February 4,1951.

Grace was still active in singing for a number of years, being a part of Theater in the Park, Trenton, NJ (where they moved to after Michael was born, in 1957), then afterwards focused on being a Wife and Mother as the children grew up.They bought their first home (row house in North Trenton) in 1961, right after Maria was born. They moved to a home in Lawrence Township, outside of Trenton in 1971, during the time that the kids were finishing up High School. During this time frame, thru a number of "Divine Appointments", Grace, John, Joseph and Maria all "met the Lord", (Mike later on in the mid 1980s) experiencing Salvation and Redemption, during the height of the Charismatic Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. After a number of years of Biblical Training at First Christian Assembly in S. Plainfield, NJ (and at a home meeting in Plainsboro, NJ), the Lord began to use Grace and John in His service, first in music specials, then leading worship in Pentecostal Churches, and Christian meetings (Full Gospel Businessmen) for a number of years.

During the early 1990s, due to the influence of Joe and Laurie Ferrara, Grace and John were introduced to Zion Fellowship and during a Minister's Convention in 1998, were prayed for and Prophesied over by various Ministers and Fellowship Leaders, giving clear direction to being set apart as Ministers of the Gospel. They became "snowbirds" from NJ at that time first with a condominium they purchased in Titusville, Florida, then with a  home they bought in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Grace and John began to be asked to take services over from various Pentecostal Pastors, when they went on vacation or out of town on Sundays. Grace and John were wonderfully used to lead the Congregation in Worship, then John would minister the Word as the Lord gave him the message for that Day, John was Licensed then Ordained as Minister of the Gospel in 2003, with Grace a vital part and partner of the Ministry the Lord entrusted to them. This went on until John's passing in January of 2007.

After Mama Grace was without her Husband of 57 years, she carried on the Ministry that the Lord called her to, first making meals and singing, given comfort to her friends that were older than her. She was a bold witness for Christ, always being open to sharing the Gospel with others as she walked in her neighborhood, was at the Grocery store, wherever she was at, as the opportunity arose. It was not uncommon for her to stop and talk to one of her neighbors, find out if they Knew the Lord or had a need and would pray for them on the spot. She was fearless in her convictions and witness, and many received comfort (and probably Salvation later on) as she Ministered to them in Jesus Name.

Sometime in January of 2016, Mama Grace began to have problems with Lung infections (Pneumonia) and other medical issues that started to plague her. In June of 2018, Grace's son Joseph son and family moved to Titusville, FL, having obtained a local engineering position with Kennedy Space Center. The timing appeared to be just right, as her medical issues became more consistent,, with complications, requiring frequent visits to local Hospitals and Doctors. Grace kept strong in her walk with the Lord, having a time of Worship every evening for many years thereafter. He health was such that she began requiring constant 24/7 Care-Givers, many of whom became friends. This went on until it was necessary to sell her home and move her to Tiffany on the River in October of 2021. As her health continued going downhill, Vitas Hospice was contracted to help with her care. This went on until her passing last Tuesday, April 26, 2023.

Mama Grace will be greatly missed by her Family and Friends. Those that knew her know she is now in a better place and glad that her time on earth serving the Lord was fruitful, until He called her home to her Heavenly reward and mansion in Heaven.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 1, 2023 at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens, Edgewater.  Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the funeral home.

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