Sara Louise Brandel Grosvenor Harvey

A memorial service for Sara Louise Brandel Grosvenor Harvey of Decatur will be held 2 pm Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 in the chapel of Holy Trinity Church in Decatur with the Rev. William Thomas Deneke officiating. Interment will be at Decatur Cemetery following the service. Mrs. Harvey, 93, passed away Sunday, Sept. 26 at her home. Born June 5, 1911 in Piqua, Ohio, she was the daughter of Edward W. Brandel and Mayme E. Grubbs Brandel. She married Richard B. Grosvenor on April 12, 1936. In 1940 she and her husband founded Tykie Toy, Inc, a manufacturer of plastic crib toys and later foam filled children's toys. Through the entrepreneurship of the couple, the company grew from a home-based production to a corporation of international distribution. The plastic toys are now highly collectable and desired by Bakelite collectors. Although founded in Piqua, the toy company began calling Atlanta home in 1952. While in Atlanta, the company pioneered washable foam-filled animals for infants and children. Before there was such a thing as a corporate mom, Mrs. Harvey was able to fulfill the traditional role as a homemaker and loving and dedicated mother as well as her corporate duties. She also was a church soloist. She enjoyed performing classical music as well as Broadway musicals. After the death of her husband in 1969, Mrs. Harvey devoted her time to volunteer efforts and family especially her beloved grandchildren. She married Earl E. Harvey,Jr., who survives, on Nov. 8, 1980. Mr. Harvey was a long time family friend for over 30 years. The couple enjoyed traveling and visiting their families. When at home, Mrs. Harvey loved entertaining her ladies? tea club and working as an American Red Cross volunteer for over 10 years at DeKalb Medical Center. Mrs. Harvey also was a member of the church Altar Guild at Holy Trinity. Her other hobbies included reading, sewing, and cooking, which she did until she was 90. She was preceded in death by husband, Richard B. Grosvenor, and son, Michael L. Grosvenor in 1993. Survivors include husband Earl E. Harvey, Jr., Decatur; daughter, Gail Clarke and son-in-law, John R. Clarke both of Thomasville; grandchildren, Alex L. Grosvenor (Susan), Stockbridge, Richard A. Grosvenor (Pat), Snellville, Hollie C. Barbee, Lexington, SC, Nan Clarke, Thomasville, and Michael E. Elliot; great-grandchildren, Andrew M. Grosvenor, Stockbridge and John-Walker Uribe, twins Katherine and Madelaine Barbee, all of Lexington, SC; stepdaughters, Ellen Garrett, Eden, NC, and Dr. Barbara McCollum (Eric), Macon; step-grandchildren, Jerry Garrett, Jr. (Suzanne), Hickory, NC, and Chris Garrett (Lisa), Martinsville, VA; step-great-grandchild, Mary Jane Garrett, Hickory, NC; a host of loving neighbors; longtime dear friend, Betty James; and special caregiver, Ruth Salawone. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Holy Trinity Church or the United Methodist Children?s Home of Decatur.  A. S. Turner & Sons