Clara Elizabeth Grigsby

Clara Elizabeth Hendry Grigsby was born in Ona, Fla., on Nov. 2, 1929, and departed this earthly life peacefully to the arms of her Lord, Jesus Christ, on Sept. 18, 2025. Clara resided in Nashville, Tenn. and Ellijay.

She graduated with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education and Physical Education from John B. Stetson University in Deland, Fla. She taught for 30 plus years in the Nashville Metropolitan Davidson County School System teaching kindergarten through eighth grade as well as coaching physical education.

She was a faithful, devoted and active member of Brookhollow Baptist Church, serving as a founding teacher for the Weekday Education Program, teaching five year olds Sunday School, choir member and cooking for Wednesday night suppers. Her passions were serving her church, caring for her children and grandchildren, traveling and gardening. She was a member of the Bellevue Garden Club and the Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee for many years.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Poole of Ellijay.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, John B. (Jack) Grigsby. She also was preceded in death by daughter, Jacqueline Claire (Jackie) Crim; son-in law, Ralph Poole; mother, Effie and father, Delos Hendry; brothers, Euliff, Olin and Harold Hendry; mother-in law and father-in-law, Cleo Gregory Grigsby and John B. Grigsby, Sr.; brother-in-law, Robert Grigsby; sisters-in-law, Daisy Davis, Mary, Jackie and Albertina Hendry; granddaughter, Rebecca Angel; grandson, Eric Sean Poole; nephew, Dr. John Davis; and niece, Nancy Davis Foster.

She is survived by son-in-law, Gary Crim; beloved grandchildren, Gary Horace (Ace) Crim, Michelle Poole Graham, Elizabeth Crim Stoudemire (Roland) and John Edward Crim (Sara); great-grandchildren, O'Neill Graham, Dylan Crim, Emma Larsen, Elliott Stoudemire, Ashley Merida (Alonzo), Alex (Savannah), Dylan (Cheyenne) and Abigail (Abby) Crim; sister-in-law, Betty Lou Grigsby of Huntsville, Ala.

She leaves behind nieces, Lou Reynolds Davis, Rebecca Wall, Leslie Franklin, Janet Stanfield, Cathy Hendry, Patti Hendry and Lisa Gough and nephews, Dr. Charlton Davis, John Grigsby, Dave Hendry, Jimmy Vern Hendry and a number of great nieces and nephews and a host of lifelong friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., Oct. 25, 2025, at Brook Hollow Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., at 11:30 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Franklin, Tenn.

The family would like to thank the loving care of Pam Garland, Natasha Watkins, Katelyn Campbell and the staff of Appalachian Hospice.

Arrangements will be handled by Bernhardt Funeral Home, Ellijay. and Mt. Hope Cemetery, Franklin, Tenn.