Mary Helyn Tuck Grimes

Mary Helyn Grimes (Tuck), born on November 18, 1945, in Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on February 21, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii, after a battle with Lewy Body Disease.

Mary dedicated her life to education, graduating from Mortimer Jordan High School, then earning her undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University before obtaining her Master's and Ed.S. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was a passionate English teacher for over 25 years, inspiring countless students with her love of literature and learning. While teaching at Bragg Middle School, she also directed numerous plays, encouraging her students to embrace the performing arts.

She was a devoted wife to Charles Dow Grimes, Jr. for over 45 years until his passing in 2014. Together, they built their forever home on a beautiful hollow on family land in Mt. Olive, AL, where they raised their four children. During her retirement years, Mary found joy beside her beloved husband, Charles, and their cherished eldest daughter, Catherine. Ever the devoted cheerleader, she championed Catherine's dreams, inspiring her to embrace life with boundless enthusiasm. In 2020, Mary, as well as Catherine, made a grand move to Kailua, Hawaii, to be near her daughter, Julie. Mary spent her final chapter of life enjoying the beauty and tranquility of Hawaii.

Mary was previously active at Gardendale First Baptist Church and East Gardendale Baptist Church. She found joy in reading, cooking, gardening, and caring for her beloved pets. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family and was a fun-loving mother and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Dow Grimes, Jr.; her parents, Louise Todd Tuck and Theo Tuck; and her siblings, Sarah Tuck McDaniel and husband Richard, James “Jimmy” Tuck and wife Frances, Douglas Tuck, and sister in law, Suzanne Tuck. She is survived by her four children: Charles Todd Grimes and wife Jamie, Catherine Grimes, Julie Grimes Smith and husband Brian, and Jenny Grimes Hamil and husband Ryan; as well as ten grandchildren she adored: Hudson Smith, Fisher Grimes, Porter Smith, Isla Hamil, Lawson Grimes, Truett Smith, Clara Hamil, Heidi Hamil, Adalei Smith, and Zachary Grimes; and her brothers, Robert “Sonny” Tuck and Steven Tuck, and sisters in law, Sherry Tuck and Teresa Tuck.

Mary’s legacy of love and dedication will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

In addition to a memorial service in Hawaii, there will be a visitation for Mary held on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071, followed by a funeral service beginning at 2:00 pm.

Flowers can be sent to Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel or donations in lieu of flowers to www.specialolympics.org.