Reuben "Lloyd" Grider

Reuben Lloyd Grider, age 92, of Starke passed away Thursday morning February 19, 2026 at Riverwood Health and Rehab Center following a long illness.

Lloyd was born on October 1, 1933 in Douglas, GA to the late Rufus Haskell Grider and Nancy Ann Elizabeth (Eldridge) Grider. The Grider family moved to Starke in 1938. Lloyd was raised as a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1952 and attended the University of FL, prior to joining the Navy. During high school, he discovered a talent for playing the drums, which he pursued for years to come. While in the Navy, he served as a percussion instructor for the US Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. Following his service in the late 50's, he lived with his brother Buddy in Fernandina Beach and performed in dance bands at various resorts and venues on the Golden Isles of GA. Quickly growing tired of commuting to play his gigs, he made the move to St. Simons, having fallen in love with the island. While performing at night, he entered the sign making business during the day as owner/operator of Grider Signs, crafting signs for businesses, resorts and golf courses in Brunswick and the Golden Isles. He was a talented craftsman and specialized in routed/sand blasted designs in cedar and redwood while also being very skilled at hand lettering. Some of his signs can still be seen around the island.

There on the island he met the first love of his life Catherine (Kitty) Hasell Bruce and they were married on March 4, 1974. They were inseparable and enjoyed many picnics, oyster roasts, boating and Cushman scooter adventures on the island as well as traveling to Arizona with family and friends, until her passing in 2000. Having largely retired by then, he found the bachelor life wasn't suiting him. He happened to reconnect with a childhood friend, Anna Zee Pickren, who was living in Worthington Springs, FL. They were married on July 12, 2003. Lloyd and Anna spent time in Worthington Springs and St. Simons before primarily settling in Worthington. They enjoyed many years together, traveling Florida and nearby south Georgia, camping, attending various church gatherings and "syrup soppings", attending auctions and spending time with family (they called him "Poppa Lloyd") until her passing in 2020.

In June 2022 he and Lily moved to Green Acres, in Starke, to be closer to his older brother Kenneth and family. He and Lily were able to walk to his brother's for Saturday/Sunday family lunches as well as holidays. He loved sitting on the porch with Lily, watching the birds (although Lily would say the squirrels were her favorite), reading the newspaper, visiting with neighbors who would walk up and going for golf cart rides. Lloyd had a bit of a sweet tooth and never turned down chocolate ice cream, chocolate milk or boiled peanuts!

He is predeceased by his first and second loving wives Kitty and Anna Zee (respectively), his parents Nancy Ann Elizabeth and Rufus Haskell Grider, his siblings Marjorie Jesse Douville, Rufus Merle (Buddy) Grider, Kenneth Carl Grider (Jackie) and Kitty's son Douglas Bruce. He is survived by his nieces Nancy Grider of Starke/Gainesville and Catherine (Cathy) Grider of Monticello, faithful and loving "little dog" Lily, Kitty's son Jim Bruce (Barbara) of St. Simons Island and Anna's daughter Paula Tetstone (Chuck) of Worthington Springs as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews through both families.

Lloyd will be remembered for his quick wit, gentle and kind spirit, devotion, love to his family and tender heartedness to animals (especially dogs). He truly was a wonderful example of "The Greatest Generation". God is saying "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

A Graveside service will be held Friday, February 27th at 1:00pm, Christ Church Cemetery Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia where he had been a member for over 50 years. Plans for a memorial service are pending at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in his memory to: St. Mark's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 487, Starke, FL 32091; or Christ Church Frederica, 6329 Frederica Rd, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; or The Foundation of Community Hospice & Palliative Care at thefoundationcares.org . Arrangements are by Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home of Starke 904-964-6200 www.jonesgallagherfh.com