The Rev. William Thaddeus Grimstead

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Rev. William Thaddeus Grimstead, 77, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, March 6, 2011, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro. Born in Wilmington, N.C., to Frederick D. and Evelyn M. Shepherd Grimstead, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War and Minister of the New Madrid Presbyterian Church in New Madrid, Mo.

Rev. Grimstead has been very involved with his church and other community projects. He has served on the following boards or committees: Area-Wide Crusade, March for Jesus, Moderator for the Presbyterian General Assembly for two terms, Lights of the Delta and Springtime on the Mall. He served as a volunteer in the Chaplains Program at the Great River Medical Center, Blytheville; Presbyterian Development Board at Westminister Village; Chaplain for the Arkansas State Troopers Pinecrest Camp and Conference Board in Memphis; Professional Home Health Board, Blytheville; Mid South Mental Health Board in Jonesboro; and the Ministerial Alliance in Blytheville.

He was an avid golfer, a semi pro softball player and ping pong champion. Rev. Grimstead loved the beach and water activities but had to have a golf course near by. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janevarate Sigmon Grimstead; a brother, Donald Grimstead; and a sister, Ollie Mae Baker.

He leaves his children and their spouses, Jan and Tom Dearien of Navarre Beach, Fla., Debbie and Dale Wessell of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., and Chris and Mitch Craig of Jonesboro;

Seven grandchildren, David Sprague, Tiffany Carr, Scott Stafford, Jennifer Jacox, Gavin Craig, Gracesyn Craig and Gabrielle Craig;

Six great-grandchildren, Brandon, Bradley and Gregory Sprague, Chassidy Stafford, Zachary Ward and Savanah Jacox;

A brother, Fredrick D. Grimstead Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; and

Two half sisters, Midge Overman and Audrey Wilhelm.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Presbyterian Church in Blytheville with the Rev. Paul Currie and the Rev. Chris Scruggs officiating. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the St. James Lutheran Cemetery in Newton, N.C. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church in Blytheville. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Blytheville or New Madrid Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be e-mailed to cobbfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net