Gertie Grindstaff, 97, of Elizabethton, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, following an extended illness.
Gertie was a native of Carter County and a daughter of the late James and Helen Nelson Lipps. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Ray Grindstaff; a son, Jimmy Grindstaff; a grandson, Stevie Hardin; and several brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Grindstaff retired from Holiday Inn and had also worked as a private sitter. She was a member of Dungan Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Phyllis Keezer and husband Pete, of Ohio, Karen Moore and husband Jerry and Rosella Pritchard and husband Danny, all of Elizabethton; two sons, Harold Grindstaff and wife Virginia, Elizabethton, and Claude Grindstaff and wife Kellie, Elizabethton; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive, as well as her special caregivers, Sarah Holtsclaw, Laurie Mirlas, Naaman Buckles and Anastasia Gwaltney.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Gertie Grindstaff will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Mr. Tom Caraway, minister, officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, May 15, in the Ensor Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Danny Pritchard, Shawn Shell, Mike Shipley, Larry Stout, David Pierce and Colton Grindstaff. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 1:50 p.m. Friday. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Grindstaff family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.