Minnie Grisby

Life Reflection ...

Minnie Grisby was born on March 5, 1925 in Calvert, Texas, to Mose Burford and Teresa Marie Burford. On July 17, 2025, she passed away peacefully at home, with each of her daughters by her side.

Ms. Grisby confessed Christ as her savior at an early age and joined the Mt. Moriah Greater Missionary Baptist Church where her family were members. As often as she could, she would attend the church's Annual Homecoming, which gave her so much joy. She was a graduate of the Calvert Independent School system and later moved to Tyler, Texas where she attended Texas

College.

During the 1940s, Minnie moved to Waxahachie to she raise her children and soon thereafter united with the New Mount Zion Baptist Church. She was an active, faithful member of New Mt. Zion for over 70 years until her health began to fail. She cheerfully served as the dedicated church clerk for over 25 years, a dutiful usher, and taught countless children as a Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher. The most recent recognition she received from the church was being the oldest member.

Ms. Grisby was the beloved and devoted matriarch, the constant rock and protector of our family, a "neighborhood mom," and a loyal friend. She was always kind and quit witted, often laughing at herself. She loved spending time with her family and her church family, and nurturing lifelong friendships, and socializing with the 55 Plus and Young at Heart clubs. At various times in her life, a few of the hobbies she enjoyed were reading the Bible and the newspaper everyday, walking, cooking for the family, baking teacakes and pound cakes, gardening, sewing, traveling extensively across the country, and volunteering with the Waxahachie North Texas Food Bank.

Ms. Minnie's remarkable faith in God was unwavering. She had a heart of gold and was a well-respected, exceptional, resilient PHENOMENAL woman! She was hardworking, diligent, reverent and took pride in raising her family, helping others in need, and serving her church and community. All of these qualities led to her receiving the Humanitarian of the Year award from

the Oaklawn Multicultural Life Center and being crowned by the African American Hall of Fame and community as the very first Ms. Juneteenth Queen in 2023. Over her lifetime, she had many titles and wore many hats but was adoringly known as Girlie as a young child, Ma'Dear, Mama, Nana, Granny Ma'Dear, Mother, Aunt Minnie and Cousin Minnie by her family, and also as "Ms. Minnie" and "Sister Grisby".

Our beloved angel was truly blessed to live to see 100, sharing a lifetime of love and priceless wisdom, and having received her flowers and honors while she was alive from all those who loved and respected her. She will be dearly missed and will always be cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Ms. Minnie was preceded in death by her parents, Mose Burford and Teresa Burford; her husband Odell Grisby; her two sons, David Eldridge and Charles Eldridge; and her infant daughter, Ethel Marie Eldridge; 4 brothers--Clarence Burford, Frank Burford, James Burford and Jessie Burford); and 2 sisters--Ida Lee Pryor and Marjorie Battle.

Sis. Grisby leaves to cherish her legacy and precious memories her beautiful sister Clara Venerable; her daughters, Minnie Lee Bradley (Vernell) and Deatrice Carter; grandchildren Shavon Eldridge, David Fears, Adrian Eldridge, Shanea Abraham (Joshua), Kia Henderson and Lacey Henderson; many great-grand children, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great

grandson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives; and also special "daughter" Frenetta Branch, close friends Ms. Johnnie Miller and Ms. Ruthie Johnson, and countless friends.