Martha Katherine Grinder

Martha Katherine Russell Grinder was born March 27th, 1940 in Corinth, Mississippi, and passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2026 at the age of 86. She is preceded in death by her father, Harry D. Russell and her mother, Dora Lucille Messner Russell, her brother Harry Russell, Jr., her brother William “Billy” Russell and her sister, Barbara Ann Herren.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Jimmy Grinder; her only child, Steve Grinder (Kerri); her grandchildren, Stephen Grinder (Rebekah); Matthew Grinder (Lauren), and one precious great-granddaughter, Lillian June Grinder – “Lily.”

Martha and Jimmy both attended Frayser High School. Martha’s class was very close and she has many girlfriends who have stayed in touch with one another over the years. They continue to have class reunions even until now, 68 years later. Martha also had two very special friends, Carole Stengel and Joyce Smith. These two ladies have been her closest friends for more than 60 years. These friendships have always been very special to her.

Jimmy and Martha met in high school. Jimmy actually attended Martha’s 16th birthday party. Jimmy loves to tell the story of their first date. If you know Jimmy at all you know he really, really loves cars. He was very particular about his cars. On their very first date Martha spilled a strawberry milkshake in his floorboard. It is just a wonder he ever let her back in his car again. He must have really been in love already.

Martha was a quiet and gentle lady, of the era of Southern ladies who enjoyed the more genteel traditions like setting a beautiful table and decorating for holidays. She enjoyed hosting brunches and dinners for her friends and family. She was an excellent cook who made the best homemade banana ice cream on the planet. She hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with Turkey and dressing and 15 side dishes for many decades and always had the family over for New Year’s Day lunch. She made a delicious Bread Pudding and Apple cake that she had perfected. Her greatest joy was when her family was gathered around the table enjoying a meal and lots and lots of laughter together.

Martha and Jimmy both loved the water and spent lots of time boating and water skiing. They were so happy to have spent several of their retirement years living on the water in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a dream of theirs since they were young and they were able to see it come true.

Through the years Martha and Jimmy were seemingly inseparable. They worked together, played together, traveled together, chased one wild cowboy across the country together, worshipped together, prayed together, raised a wonderful family together, laughed, cried and built a beautiful, beautiful life together.

One of the best days of their lives was the day Jimmy and Martha were both baptized by their son, Steve. It was truly an honor and a blessing for him.

Although Martha was a lady of few words, she loved her family deeply and we all knew it. She wrote her thoughts in journals that she kept every single day. It was her way of communicating her thoughts. Even if some things were not easy for her to say, they were easy for her to write. She left both of her grandsons an entire journal of her thoughts and love letters to them. She was loved by all of us and will be missed every day until we are all reunited in heaven.

1 Peter 3:4

Your beauty should come from within you – the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear, and it is worth very much to God.