Gretchen Melissa Grimes

GRETCHEN MALISSA GRIMES (Brown) was born November 28, 1925, in Brown Summit, Gilford County, North Carolina to the late James R. Brown and Corado Rankin Brown. Her two sisters, Laura Massey, Bertha Robinson and two brothers Joseph Brown and James Brown Jr. have all proceeded her glorious journey.

Gretchen relocated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1945. After World War II she met a handsome United States Army soldier, Leevearn Grimes, and they married. They started their family October 11, 1945, and this union produced five wonderful children: Deborah Grimes Alexander (Michael Alexander – deceased), Leevearn Grimes Jr. (Arlest Grimes), Clarence Darrow Grimes, Sr. – deceased), Renee Grimes Davis (Joseph Davis – deceased) and Charles Dennis Grimes, Sr. – deceased).

Gretchen had a wonderful life and many achievements, waitress, manager/owner Lawson’s Milk Store franchise, an honorable school crossing guard which she enjoyed all the more because of the children.

For over 50 years, she lived with her family on Garfield Avenue in Cleveland, our village. Gretchen’s greatest accomplishment meant being an outstanding mother, grandmother, a dutiful great grandmother, and many others small and large.

Gretchen leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory: a sister, Mary Wiggins, her daughters Deborah Grimes Alexander and Renee Grimes Davis and son Leevearn Grimes Jr. (Arlest Grimes) and daughter-in-law, Patricia Grimes. Five grandchildren, Michael “Tony” Herring, Clarence Grimes (Joanna), Sylvia Grimes, Charles “Little Dennis” James (Connie), and Erica Grimes (Warren). Fifteen great grandchildren, William, Chartia, Charles, Charlize, Ziare, Daronae, Cartier, Jaidon, MaLhana, Miles, Aeisha, Tonishia, Timishia, Tallishia, Michael Jr. Three great-great grandchildren Alliyah, Aiden, Kael. A host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and friends. Mildred Louise Grimes (sister-in-law). Gretchen is proceeded in death by her husband, Leevearn B. Grimes, Sr. and sons Clarence Darrow Grimes and Charles Dennis Grimes.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cummingsanddavisfh.com for the Grimes family.