CHARLESTON – As a veteran English composition and world literature instructor for Coahoma Community College’s evening class students here, Lillie Grant has been described as a “passionate teacher.”

“Mrs. Grant is dedicated, caring, and an excellent instructor,” agree Dr. Rosetta Howard, CCC vice president of academics and Cynthia Williams, director of distance learning.

“She is our first adjunct faculty member to be honored by the Mississippi Humanities Council as Humanities Teacher of the Year,” says Howard.

Grant will make a scholarly presentation on “Perseverance” at a reception at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at CCC’s Magnolia Room in the Student Union Building in Clarksdale. The public is invited to attend.

Not only does the longtime Charleston resident teach college courses to non-traditional students from 6 – 9 p.m. two nights a week, she teaches English every day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to middle school students.

Although most of her evening class students work during the day, she describes them as “enthusiastic” and “excited.”

“Often they are tired, but not complaining,” says Grant. “Some have stumbling blocks, but don’t let them get next to them; they tend to persevere without complaining.”

Helping Grant persevere with her own demanding schedule is her husband, now retired, who prepares supper before she returns to Charleston High School.

“I could not do this without him,” she says.

The Grants are the parents of three children and six grandchildren.

A native of Holmes County, she graduated from Tchula Attendance Center, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business education from Mississippi Valley State University.

She became certified in English education and earned a master’s degree in English from Jackson State University.

Despite little free time, Grant likes to walk, cook on weekends and enjoys visiting with friends. She’s also active in New Town Missionary Baptist Church as youth director and a Sunday School teacher.