Adei-Mai Morningstar Grenpastures

The Reverend Adei-Mai Morningstar Grenpastures passed into eternal life on Dec 29, 2019 after an extended illness due to an automobile collision in Feb 18,1998. Born into the Eastern Band of Cherokee in New York state on March 7, 1947 to William and Betty Greenlee, Adei became a bright Morningstar to all who entered the circle of her life. And her circle was wide!

She earned her R.N. degree in New York and studied at the John Jay School of Law Enforcement in New York City. She expanded her law enforcement qualifications by working in forensics, as a hostage negotiator, and as a mediation counselor. She left the law enforcement field at the request of her father (who explained that it was like him sky diving: too great a risk for such a quick thrill!) and moved to Atlanta, where her older brother, David, lived.

She became credentialed as a psychiatric nurse, working at both Grady Hospital and Wesley Woods as a nurse supervisor. While working in her nursing positions, Adei also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mercer University. Always craving more education and larger opportunities to serve others, she then earned a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology and was ordained as a Disciples of Christ minister at First Christian Church in Decatur in 1994.

Adei was blessed with many gifts and she used them all to serve God and care for those who needed her healing touch and her spiritual wisdom. In doing so, she always honored her Cherokee heritage and her Christian faith. She used her beautiful singing voice to praise God and her strong preaching voice to share the love of Christ. She lived every day with respect to the wisdom of her native elders and her gratitude to the Great Spirit. She was an accomplished artist, a mystic, and a determined soul as well as a teacher, friend, and encourager.

Adei’s parents and 3 brothers pre-deceased her. She is survived by a half-brother (William), a nephew, Christopher D.Milton, and her beloved fur-child, Bear. During her long years of confinement, she was lovingly tended to by special friends, Nathaniel Brown, Jan Brzuskiewicz, Debbie Deakins, Sandra Masters, and Millie Linville Malai. A service of celebration of Adei’s life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Decatur First Christian Church, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. in Decatur GA, the Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert, Senior Pastor. The Rev. Jackie Jenkins, officiant. Weather permitting, a drum circle will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the church lawn.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to donate to Rev. Adei Grenpastures final expenses. Members of the Native American community may use Native American decor to contribute to the beauty of Rev. Adei’s celebration.