Kathryn Viola Groce

Kathryn V. Groce, 95, of Goldsboro MD passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, surrounded by family on Friday March 20, 2026. She was born on April 16, 1930, in Burrsville, DE to the late Ethel Virginia Benson. Upon the death of her mother at the age of 2, she was raised in Denton MD, by the late Nettie Baynard whom she considered family. She attended Lockerman School in Denton MD graduating in May 1948 with a full scholarship to Hampton University in Hampton Virginia. She declined the scholarship and instead married the love of her life, the Late Rayfield Groce, Jr. on December 25, 1948. She was an avid crocheter and seamstress and was a stay-at-home wife for the majority of her life, until her children became teenagers, and she accept a cooking position at the Benedictine School, retiring in 1999 after 19 years. She attended Trinity AME Church in Ridgely MD regularly until her health began to fail.

In addition to both mothers, she is predeceased by her husband, Rayfield Groce, Jr., favorite Uncle Clearence Benson (Hulda) and nephew Irvin Groce.

She is survived by her 2 children Clark Groce., Sr., (Tampa) and Sarena McKnight (Roger), 3 Grandchildren, Clark Groce Jr., (Katherine), Stephanie Jefferson (Mike), who was raised as a daughter and Amber Groce (Anthony), 11 Great Grandchildren, Thomas, Dominick, Gavin, Madisyn, Ashtyn, Miranda, Averie, Bryson, Ava, Austyn and Aizley, 3 sister-in-laws, Doris Washington, Freda Hairston (Ed) and Joan Redwood (Chris), 1 brother-in-law Donald Butch Groce, bonus daughter Rodecia McKnight-Davis (Larry) and bonus grandson Bryce Griffin. Specials friends, who she considered family, William and Mary Ellen Flamer, Nora Cannon, Tom and Karen Loveless, Arlene Gordon and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and her Ocean Pines MD friends and acquaintances.