Harriett Elouise Grimes passed away on July 17, 2018 in Riverview, Florida. A visitation will be held on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Columbus. A Graveside service will be held on Saturday July 21, 2018 at Parkhill Cemetery at 3:00 pm.
Mrs. Grimes was born on July 10, 1924 in Grimes, Alabama to Robert and Mary Etta Morehead. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Etta Morehead, husband Onslow Meigs Reagan (died in 1952), husband Horace W. Grimes, a son, Meigs Edward Reagan, two sisters, Odessa Campbell and Lydia Inez West and one brother, Cauthen “QC” Morehead.
Survivors include two sons Jack Reagan (Betty) Warner Robbins, GA and Keith Grimes (Melissa) Lithia, FL; two daughters Debra Reagan McGreggor (Ken) Salem, AL and Janice Respress (Riverview, FL); one step-daughter, Carolyn Hillier (Lou) Geneva, ID.
She is also the grandmother to 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
She was a member of the East Highland Progressive Primitive Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian.
There were so many things she did that people never knew and so many things she loved. She was an artist, wonderful seamstress, loved to crochet and her “foot warmers” were cherished Christmas gifts by her children and grandchildren. She loved gardening (both flowers and vegetables). Her painting and seamstress skills were used often because if there was a school play or event at church that required costumes or backdrops, she was always there. She was ahead of her time in the now famous art of re-purposing. She was a child of the Depression Era so it was something she had done long before it became “fashionable.” Her cooking skills were second to none. Fortunately, she gave all of her recipes several years ago to one of her granddaughters who is also an excellent cook and has done the family proud by replicating her grandmother’s recipes.
Even though she had to quit school in the 9th grade, she never gave up her love of books, especially travel. The military gave her the opportunity to travel and see the places she had always read about but never thought she would have the chance to see. While stationed in Germany, she made sure the family visited every country in Europe they possibly could.
She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Grimes family.
