Shirley Grindstaff
Published 4:26 pm Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Shirley Grindstaff, 72, of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 30, 2019, at Johnson City Medical Center. Shirley was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., to the late Paul F. Arnold and Jewell Lyons Arnold. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Jerry Wayne Grindstaff, on April 22, 2017, and her only child, Rachel Leanne Grindstaff, on July 29, 2007.
Shirley was a homemaker and a member of Unaka Baptist Church where she had served as church clerk, Sunday School teacher and W.M.U. Director and a member of the Board of Directors. Before that she had served at Fairview Baptist Church in Watauga, Tenn., as a church clerk, Sunday School teacher, Associational Director and a member of the Adult Choir. Also, she had served as a church clerk, Sunday School teacher, Young Women’s Association leader, Youth leader and was a member of the Adult Choir at Biltmore Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, J.D. Arnold and wife Debra of Elizabethton; her sisters-in-law, Sheila Nidiffer and husband Conley of Elizabethton, Janice Calloway of Elk Hart, Ind., and Helen Grindstaff of Elizabethton; a special nephew, James S. Grindstaff and Christine Maroon of Nashville, Tenn.; special cousins, Barbara Duke of Elizabethton and Jeannie and Wayne Simpson of Memphis, Tenn.; special friends, Girls Night Out Group; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate the life of Shirley Grindstaff will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 3, in the Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Walker Roberson and Rev. Stephen Greene officiating. Pre-recorded music by her late daughter, Rachel, will be provided. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at the residence at other times this week. The graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, October 4, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Williams, Bobby Joe Fletcher, Gary Arnold and Les Grindstaff. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:50 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unaka Baptist Church, 1598 Highway 91, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mrs. Grindstaff and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.