A. B. Grindstaff, age 87, of Elizabethton, TN, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2016 at his residence. A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Claude and Daisy Williams Grindstaff.
Mr. Grindstaff attended Lees-McCray College and graduated from E.T.S.U. with a Bachelors and Masters Degrees. He also completed forty-five hours of graduate work at the University of TN. Mr. Grindstaff taught thirty-seven years in the Carter County School System as a Principal, Assistant Principal and in the Building and Trades Program and retired in 1990. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Caldwell Springs Baptist Church and was a founding member of the Back Country Horsemen of East Tennessee and the Carter County Car Club.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Grindstaff was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Grindstaff and Wesley Grindstaff and four sisters, Ruby Hardin, Opal Gouge, June Allen and Dimple Williams. Those left to cherish his memory include two half-brothers, George Elic Grindstaff and David H. Grindstaff and two half-sisters, Dorothy Deloach and Josie Shook and special friends, Judy Grindstaff and Jonnie Wilson.
A graveside service to honor the life of Mr. A. B. Grindstaff will be conducted at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the A. B. Grindstaff Farm, Elizabethton, TN, with Mr. John Hardin providing the eulogy. Active pallbearers will be Ricky Williams, Eddie Williams, Condon Williams, Gayle Combs, David Grindstaff, Brent Grindstaff and Jeremy Hardin. Honorary pallbearers will be Hite Reese, Steve Reese, Ken Mann, Lindsey Rash, Carmon Whitehead, Dr. Duane Lowry and the Burger Hut Gang. Military honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 prior to the graveside service.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Elizabethton/Carter County Retired Teacher’s Association, Scholarship Fund, c/o Nyoka Hardin, 126 Nave Hollow Loop, Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Grindstaff family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.