HOUSTON, Texas – Liberia’s Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester Grigsby, was laid to rest on Saturday in Houston, Texas, following a solemn funeral service attended by family, friends, and officials of the Government of Liberia.
Delivering a tribute on behalf of his father, President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., Joseph Boakai, Jr. recounted the president’s six-decade-long friendship with the late minister, which began during their days at the College of West Africa in Monrovia.
“Although I was two years his senior, Sylvester was a distinct character and a man of high intellect,” President Boakai said. “In these challenging times, I find comfort in the rich and enduring memories of our friendship and the legacy he leaves behind. Compared to me, he came from a well-off family, yet he remained humble, grounded, and respectful. He was an outstanding student, but what I admired most was his empathy and willingness to help others.”
Delivering a tribute on behalf of his father, President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., Joseph Boakai, Jr. recounted the president’s six-decade-long friendship with the late minister, which began during their days at the College of West Africa in Monrovia.
The president also recalled that after both men left government service in 2018, Grigsby served as Executive Director of the Joseph N. Boakai Foundation before returning to public service as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.
“Grigsby’s life was one of impact, integrity, and quiet greatness,” the president said. “You can be proud of who he was—not only for what he did for his family but for his country. Although a few may have misunderstood him, many recognized his patriotism, dedication, and commitment to excellence.”
Opposition leader Alexander B. Cummings also paid tribute, describing Grigsby as a man of “profound intellect, a sharp political mind, and a tireless public servant.”
“His résumé speaks for itself—a life dedicated to the monumental task of building a better Liberia,” Cummings said. “His willingness to serve in multiple administrations, including most recently in the administration of his lifelong friend, President Boakai, was not a sign of political convenience; it was a testament to his unwavering patriotism. For Sylvester, the work of uplifting Liberia was more important than any single party or individual.”
Cummings, who shared a personal bond with Grigsby, added: “Beyond the statesman, I was privileged to know Sylvester the man—the schoolmate, the friend, the supporter. He was a man whose wisdom was matched only by his kindness, whose counsel I sought and cherished.”
In a deeply emotional tribute, his widow, Mrs. Cleopatra Grigsby, reflected on their journey together since meeting in the late 1960s and marrying in 1974.
“Greg’s gentle spirit and genuine kindness drew me to him,” she said. “He was never power hungry. His greatest pride was being a father. He was a dreamer, a man who saw the world as it should be and not as it was. Sometimes people took advantage of his giving nature, but he never let that change him. He kept offering kindness to the world.”
She added: “Greg dedicated his life to his country and his heart to his family and friends. His work here is done, but his story lives on in all of us who were blessed to know him. Thank you, Greg, for your selflessness, your kindness, and your love.”
