Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Eleanor Grindstaff
1935 - 2025
FUNERAL HOME
Eleanor Grindstaff Obituary
Eleanor Grindstaff
April 21, 1935 -
August 30, 2025
TO MY CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN; I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND WANT TO SEE YOU ALL IN HEAVEN…AND I FEEL THAT IS SOONER THAN WE THINK.
ERWIN - Eleanor Grindstaff had a homecoming on August 30th, 2025. She went Home to her Forever Friend, Jesus. Her favorite verse was Psalms 71:17-18. Eleanor was born on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935, in Kingsport, TN to the late Louis Black and Margaret Ford Black. She lived most of her life in Erwin and graduated from UCHS in 1953 and from ETSU at the age of 40. She taught school in Unicoi County until her retirement. She had two historical novels published dealing with the development of Free Will Baptist in concert with the history and culture of the times. She became a member of the Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church at the age of nine and has compiled the history of that church from 1920 to present. Eleanor taught in several different areas in the church and held several different positions in the district WNAC. She also, won the Free Will Baptist Legacy Award for her many years of teaching Sunday School. She considered teaching the Bible as her special spiritual gift and spent hours in Bible Study. Eleanor was known for her love of God, her church and youth. She believed in prayer and was a prayer warrior. Her hobbies were canning, writing, reading and crocheting.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Robert Grindstaff in 2015, A son, David in 2005 and a sister Irma Barnett in 1990 and her mother Maggie Black in 1985.
She is survived by sons Robert (Ana) Grindstaff of Little Elm, Texas, Jeffery (Angie) of Knoxville and daughter Debbie (friend Gaylon) of Erwin. Also, seven grandsons, James (Stephanie) Armstrong, Wyatt Armstrong, Matt Grindstaff, Chad Grindstaff (April), Santiago Grindstaff, Jonathan (Jessica) Grindstaff, Caleb (Angel) Grindstaff, and three granddaughters, Ayla (Kyle) Abrams, Victoria (Sami) Hijer, and Chelsea (Jonathan) Farmer and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Joyce Peterson, Janie (Phil) Payne, and Joann Begley and a brother Rick (Cindy) Reed. She has many special nieces and nephews. A special niece and her family, Connie, Charlie, Chance Miller and Dr Charles and family. A special friend Tyrell Anders and a special daughter Janice (Jon) Stephenson.
The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Eleanor Black Grindstaff in a funeral service to be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church, 910 Hoback Street, Erwin, TN 37650. Reverend Noah Taylor will officiate. A visitation period to share memories and offer support to the family will begin at 1:00 pm on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and will continue until service time at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church. A graveside committal service will be held immediately following the service in Evergreen Cemetery. Those serving as pallbearers are Glen White, Mike Anders, Jamie Hopson, Larry Anders, Dean Wilson, and David True. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Wilson and Tim Hopson.
In lieu of flowers she would like donations to be made to Delbert -Matthews House and to the Evergreen youth Department.
YAHWEH and MARANATHA
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Eleanor Rose Black Grindstaff through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N Main Ave., Erwin, TN. 37650. (423)743-9187.
April 21, 1935 -
August 30, 2025
TO MY CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN; I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND WANT TO SEE YOU ALL IN HEAVEN…AND I FEEL THAT IS SOONER THAN WE THINK.
ERWIN - Eleanor Grindstaff had a homecoming on August 30th, 2025. She went Home to her Forever Friend, Jesus. Her favorite verse was Psalms 71:17-18. Eleanor was born on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935, in Kingsport, TN to the late Louis Black and Margaret Ford Black. She lived most of her life in Erwin and graduated from UCHS in 1953 and from ETSU at the age of 40. She taught school in Unicoi County until her retirement. She had two historical novels published dealing with the development of Free Will Baptist in concert with the history and culture of the times. She became a member of the Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church at the age of nine and has compiled the history of that church from 1920 to present. Eleanor taught in several different areas in the church and held several different positions in the district WNAC. She also, won the Free Will Baptist Legacy Award for her many years of teaching Sunday School. She considered teaching the Bible as her special spiritual gift and spent hours in Bible Study. Eleanor was known for her love of God, her church and youth. She believed in prayer and was a prayer warrior. Her hobbies were canning, writing, reading and crocheting.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Robert Grindstaff in 2015, A son, David in 2005 and a sister Irma Barnett in 1990 and her mother Maggie Black in 1985.
She is survived by sons Robert (Ana) Grindstaff of Little Elm, Texas, Jeffery (Angie) of Knoxville and daughter Debbie (friend Gaylon) of Erwin. Also, seven grandsons, James (Stephanie) Armstrong, Wyatt Armstrong, Matt Grindstaff, Chad Grindstaff (April), Santiago Grindstaff, Jonathan (Jessica) Grindstaff, Caleb (Angel) Grindstaff, and three granddaughters, Ayla (Kyle) Abrams, Victoria (Sami) Hijer, and Chelsea (Jonathan) Farmer and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Joyce Peterson, Janie (Phil) Payne, and Joann Begley and a brother Rick (Cindy) Reed. She has many special nieces and nephews. A special niece and her family, Connie, Charlie, Chance Miller and Dr Charles and family. A special friend Tyrell Anders and a special daughter Janice (Jon) Stephenson.
The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Eleanor Black Grindstaff in a funeral service to be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church, 910 Hoback Street, Erwin, TN 37650. Reverend Noah Taylor will officiate. A visitation period to share memories and offer support to the family will begin at 1:00 pm on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and will continue until service time at Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church. A graveside committal service will be held immediately following the service in Evergreen Cemetery. Those serving as pallbearers are Glen White, Mike Anders, Jamie Hopson, Larry Anders, Dean Wilson, and David True. Honorary pallbearers are Scott Wilson and Tim Hopson.
In lieu of flowers she would like donations to be made to Delbert -Matthews House and to the Evergreen youth Department.
YAHWEH and MARANATHA
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Eleanor Rose Black Grindstaff through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N Main Ave., Erwin, TN. 37650. (423)743-9187.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Erwin Record from Sep. 2 to Sep. 10, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for Eleanor Grindstaff
Sponsored by Valley Funeral Home.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Eleanor Grindstaff's name
Memorial Events
for Eleanor Grindstaff
Sep
4
How to support Eleanor's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Eleanor Grindstaff's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
