Private Mary "Pidgy" Wilcox Granade Gabriel, A Soldier's Story
Private Mary "Pidgy" Wilcox Granade Gabriel, A Soldier's Story
Mary Pidgy Wilcox Granade Gabriel was born on February 14, 1909, in Pin Point, Georgia, a close-knit coastal community with deep cultural and historical roots. She pursued a career in nursing, attending the Georgia Infirmary School of Nursing, where she trained in patient care and clinical discipline during an era when the profession demanded both resilience and compassion.
After completing her training, Gabriel remained on staff at the Georgia Infirmary, serving the local community until World War II called her into military service. In 1943, she enlisted in the United States Army and served as a nurse at several stateside assignments throughout the war. Her work supported the care and recovery of soldiers during a time of unprecedented medical demand, reflecting the essential but often understated role of military nurses during the conflict.
Following the end of World War II, Private Mary “Pidgy” Granade returned home to Georgia in 1945 and resumed her nursing career at the Georgia Infirmary. She continued to care for patients there for the remainder of her life, embodying a quiet dedication to healing that extended well beyond her years in uniform.
She died on May 20, 1968, and is buried at Eden Baptist Church Cemetery in Pin Point, Georgia.
Private Granade’s life reflects a commitment to service rooted not in recognition, but in constancy — answering the call in wartime, then returning home to continue the same work in peace.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
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