Mary Lou T. Grinstead

She was preceded in death by her parents, Trinidad and Yvonne Medina; her brother, Trini Medina; her sister, Lydia Sparks; and her brother-in-law, Karl Sparks.

Mary Lou is survived by her beloved husband and best friend of 56 years, Larry Grinstead. Their love story began when they first met on October 23, 1968. They went on their first date just two days later, on October 25, 1968, and the very next day Larry was deployed on October 26, 1968. After returning from deployment on May 24, 1969, they were married shortly thereafter on June 7, 1969. During that first deployment—and again during another deployment in the fall of 1969—they faithfully wrote letters to one another each and every day, a testament to the deep love, commitment, and devotion that defined their marriage.

She leaves behind her children: her eldest daughter, Terry Wasiuta, and her husband Myron; her son Randy Grinstead; and her youngest son, Wesley Grinstead, and his wife Nia. She was a devoted grandmother to Amber, Addison, Autumn, Aiden, Caden, and Wyatt, and a proud great-grandmother to Marleigh, with another great-grandchild soon to arrive.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Nancy Medina and Nancy’s daughter, Tanya Medina; her niece Lisa Williams, her husband Timothy, and their children; and her niece Tracy Sparks-Dedrick, her husband Anthony, and their children. In addition, Mary Lou leaves behind many beloved cousins living in France, with whom she shared lasting family bonds.

A funeral service will be held on January 18, 2026, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service. Following the service, Mary Lou will be flown to Oklahoma for burial at Seaman 1st Class Billy Turner Veterans Cemetery in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on January 22, 2026.

Mary Lou was an avid lover of life. Whether she was spending countless hours tending and beautifying her flowerbeds, shopping until she dropped, watching Hallmark Christmas movies in the middle of July, or driving long distances just to be near her grandchildren—whom she adored—she always found joy in the simple things. Anyone who knew her knew her to be sweet, kind, and someone with an exceptionally big heart.

She had a gentle sense of humor and never minded when a joke went over her head and everyone laughed along. She would often say, “You sure are going to miss me when I’m gone,” never realizing just how right she was. Her warmth, devotion, and boundless love for her family will be deeply missed and forever remembered.