Birth Date: 05/19/1948
Deceased Date: 01/26/2023
On January 26, 2023, Genie Grimes passed away after a brief but valiant fight against acute myeloid leukemia. Genie was born on May 19, 1948, to Sam Ray and Emeth Johnson Thomas in Martinsville, VA. She had two sisters, Nancy Thomas McCullough (Bill) and Jacqueline (Jackie) Thomas Ewendt (Bogdan). She graduated from East Rutherford High School in Forest City, NC, in 1966, and then attended High Point College where she majored in sociology and, more importantly, met Warren Louis Grimes. They were married on April 3, 1971, and moved to Smithfield where Warren was the owner and operator of a solid waste company. They had three children, David Martin Grimes (Gina), Catherine Grimes Huffman (Travis), and Leslie Grimes Parr (Greg). Her sons-in law and daughter-in law all agree that Genie and Warren immediately made them feel that they were their children, too. She was the proud grandmother of seven: Madeline, Lydia, and Margo Grimes; Caroline and Avery Huffman; and Brayden and Connor Parr. Genie loved all things family: her home, her husband, her children, and her grandchildren.
While Warren established his business, Genie took care of her home and children. After the children were grown, she worked as payroll administrator for Mitchell Temporary Services and Smithfield Manor.
Warren and Genie became devoted members of Centenary United Methodist Church, where they were Church Historian co-chairs. She participated in Bible studies and the Martha Ministries, loved Wednesday night dinners, and was a faithful and valued member of the choir she so dearly loved. Genie previously sang in the Johnston County Choral Society and liked to attend concerts and symphonies. She enjoyed her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. Her favorite pastimes were reading, genealogy, watching British mysteries and comedies, and traveling. She and Warren enjoyed traveling. Their trips included Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah where they heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing – something Genie had wanted to do for years – and toured the surrounding national parks. They took a Disney Cruise with their children and grandchildren. This past December they enjoyed a long-awaited Danube River Cruise, visiting European Christmas Markets. They arrived home December 15, just in time to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.
Genie had a host of friends. She was the voice of reason, the dear listener, the helper in times of trouble, the truest confidant. Her dry wit made every hour spent with her laughter-filled. Her natural curiosity led to both hilarious and heartfelt stories. As so many have said of her in the past week, Genie Grimes was simply the best.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Centenary United Methodist Church, 140 E. Market St., Smithfield, NC 27577, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society – lls.org, or to the charity of your choice. The family also suggests blood donations to the American Red Cross.
