Ennis Grimes, Sr.

Edwards Small Mortuary announces with our deepest sympathy the passing of Mr. Ennis Grimes, Sr.  Our prayers go out to the friends and family.

Ennis Grimes, Sr. was born on April 6, 1936 in Greene County, Georgia to the late Emmitt Grimes and Lessie (Mapp) Grimes. He died in his home on April 18, 2023.

Affectionately known to most family and friends as “Boolou” or respectively as “Mr. Grimes”, Ennis lived most of his life in Ft. Valley, Georgia. He was a graduate of H. A. Hunt High School. His childhood was spent working alongside his father in construction. He took pride in his work as a master craftsman, often referring to himself as “The world’s greatest”, which is evident in his work. The work of Mr. Grimes took him to places all over the country such as New York City and even the Oglala Sioux reservation in South Dakota. It was during his time in South Dakota and Nebraska that he met his wife, Esther Grimes (Prokop) who preceded him in death.

Ennis believed in the value of hard work to provide for his family and children. In addition to helping to build up the city of Fort Valley through his art as a general contractor, he worked at the Atlanta Airport and as the Supervisor of Plant Operations at Fort Valley State University where he retired in the early 2000’s. He believed in taking time to perfect his craft. He would say “If you move too fast you might miss the way”.

Despite being an extremely private person, Mr. Grimes believed in loyalty, was a humorous storyteller, loved playing the guitar, reading the Bible and “playing his numbers”.

Ennis was preceded in death by his sister Lillian Kennedy, his daughter Brenda Grimes Dumas, and his sons Mitchell and Michael Grimes.
He leaves behind his sister, Emma Pearl Mathis; his sons Ennis “Toby” Grimes, Jr. (Yancy), Gary Grimes, and Jamie Grimes (Rebecca); his daughters Elaine Grimes, Marie Grimes-Perry, Shelva Harris, Kristen Burroughs (Tariq) and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.