Stephanie Marie Gant-Brady



Missing Since: April 8, 1984 from Baltimore, Maryland
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date of Birth: October 17, 1944
Age: 39 years old
Height and Weight: 5'3, 110 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African-American female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Gant-Brady wears eyeglasses or contact lenses. Her nickname is Penny.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: An opal ring and a pinky ring set with a small diamond.
Medical Conditions: Gant-Brady was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1978 and has difficulty walking as a result of her condition. She utilizes a cane and a wheelchair to get around, but she had neither with her when she vanished.

Details of Disappearance

Gant-Brady was last seen in Baltimore, Maryland on April 8, 1984. She resided in the 4600 block of Horizon Circle in the Woodlawn area at the time. After her disappearance, Gant-Brady's male companion stated she had traveled to London, England to write a book. However, Gant-Brady never obtained a passport, did not pick up her last paycheck, and left all of her personal belongings, including her cane and wheelchair, behind when she vanished.

Gant-Brady has one son. She got a bachelor's degree in sociology from Morgan State University and was attempting a master's degree from the University of Baltimore in 1984. She was the first African-American woman to reach the rank of lieutenant in the Maryland National Guard. She was also a member of the Governor's Committee for the Handicapped. Gant-Brady was employed as a substitute middle and elementary school teacher at the time of her disappearance. Her case remains unsolvd.

Family Reflections of Stephanie

Helen Gant-Fox describes her missing daughter, Stephanie, as a loving and generous person. A good daughter, a good mother, an achiever. She said that Helen always kept a positive attitude. She quoted Confucious, “he who has hope has everything.” Stephanie, who loved music, tennis and attending concerts, was also a believer. Helen remembers Stephanie’s favorite prayer was the Serenity prayer. She had a positive influence on everyone around her, and poured all she could into her family.

Stephanie Marie Gant-Brady – A Penny for Your Thoughts: Words from her son Paul.
“ ‘Sometimes a man seeks what he hath lost; and from that place, and time, wherein he misses it, his mind runs back, from place to place, and time to time, to find where and when he had it; that is to say, to find some certain and limited time and place in which to begin a method of seeking. Again, from thence, his thoughts run over the same places and times to find what action or occasion might make him lose it. This we call remembrance, or calling to mind.’” – Thomas Hobbs



It’s never easy, Paul states, writing about someone you love, that’s been missing for so long, but never difficult expressing how wonderful they are. This is my mother Stephanie Marie Gant-Brady, affectionately “Penny.”



Born October 17, 1944, Penny was destined to be an overachiever in all she set out to do. Upon leaving Morgan State University, she joined the Maryland National Guard, being one of three women to graduate from the school’s 18-year history (1997) of Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant. In 1978, she was diagnosed with having Multiple Sclerosis. She accepted the diagnosis, went out and had her hair done, joined a group to aid the disabled, and decided, life goes on.



She excelled even with a disability that affected her physically. ; commissioned to the Governor’s Committee for hiring the handicapped, a Resource Specialist for Baltimore Citizens for Housing for the Disabled; she returned to Morgan to receive an undergraduate degree in Sociology, wrote a news column for the disabled community in the Afro American newspaper and wrote the astrology page in the syndicated Dawn magazine. For recreation, she coached a boys little league basketball team (ages 11 and 12) and was an after school recreation leader. She went from coach to Ms. Brady, substitute school teacher at the elementary and junior high school in Baltimore County. At the time of her disappearance, she was working on her Master’s degree at the University of Baltimore.



She was the perfect mother, and “adoptive” mother to many children and young people, a respected adult, pillar of the community and an outgoing and caring person for all. She lived for the moment; a dreamer that made her dreams reality and a strong advocate for what she believed in, people.



As a single parent, Penny joined Parents without Partners, which she made many new friends to network with, attended meetings and social functions. She showed that her disability did not stop her from dancing to roller skating. She loved her family unconditionally as the eldest of three, she took the values instilled in her by her mother and aunt and applied them to all of her endeavors, including being an inspiration to her brother, sister and cousin.



But it was only one person that made up Penny’s world, her ‘soul’ inspiration, and that honor is me, her only child. My mother is/was my best friend, confidant, my completeness. She raised me to be independent, loving, and understanding. She proved that anything can be overcome, once you put your mind to it. Thought she may be a little disappointed with how my life has changed, but a mother’s love is a mother’s love. Today she is a grandmother of (3) beautiful grandchildren who all have one of her unique and loving traits. I can only imagine how spoiled they would be if you were here.



Unfortunately, we will never forget that beautiful Sunday afternoon, April 8, 1984, the very last words ever spoken to and from you was ‘I love you.’ You strongly believed these words should always be the last things spoken, so you’ll never regret not saying it.



It is those words that I hold near and cherish in my memory of you. They make me persevere in this quest. Many have moved on and light endless candles in remembrance, it’s that love we share that won’t allow me to give up. Only (3) truly know what happened; you, God and that person whose refused to disclose your true whereabouts. You live in the hearts and minds of your family, grandchildren, and friends. You’re in my soul and spread around through my love, you are my inspiration, best friend, and greatest mother. I love you forever.



Your one and only son, Paul.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact: Baltimore County Police Department 410-887-3943