Meldred L. Grinstead's Obituary
Meldred L. Grinstead of Eustis passed away in Hickory, North Carolina. After 94 years of love, laughter, loss and pain, our mother is now resting peacefully. She was a wife, a homemaker, an employee of the hometown bank (now Wachovia Bank) and our Mama.She was the daughter of Meldren and Birdie Lynn of Collins, Georgia and married her high school sweetheart and classmate, Loye Grinstead. After graduating high school Dad joined the United States Marine Corp and was stationed on the U.S.S. Saratoga as an Orderly for Admiral William Halsey. Mom attended and graduated from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. At the end of Loye’s four year commitment, they were married and moved to Eustis to make their home. They had four children Larry, Loylyn who died at birth, Luke and Mel. After 43 years of marriage, Dad died. Mom remained single for many years, later meeting and marrying Ernest Beel from Illinois who had lost his wife through death. He was the father of three sons Carl, Jake and Jim, and a daughter Carol. After 16 years of marriage, Ernie died. Mom had only one grandchild Bree, daughter of Luke. Bree was killed in a car accident at the age of 17, when she was a senior in high school. Our brother Larry died eight years ago from cancer and heart problems. Mom is survived by Luke and his wife Dixie, and Mel and his wife Marty and her loving companion “Happy,” a little red Pomeranian. The family received friends in the Hamlin & Hilbish Chapel in Eustis on Sunday, March 20, 2011, from 1 until 3 PM. Services were held Monday, March 21, 2011 at 10 A.M. in the First United Methodist Church of Eustis with Rev. Stan Beatty officiating. Interment followed in Lakeside Memory Gardens, Eustis.You may leave a condolence for the family by signing the guest book below.
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