Catherine Wilkins Grimes

Catherine Wilkins Grimes passed away on Sunday, January 22, 2012. She was born and raised in Rutherfordton, NC. She graduated from Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School, Mars Hill College and Limestone College, where she studied sociology.

Early in her career, while attending graduate school at the University of Tennessee School of Social Work, she met the man who would be her husband for 50 years until his death in 2005, Junius Summerfield "Pete" Grimes, III. They had a very full and loving life together. Their careers of service began when he became the Director of Public Welfare in Camden County, and Catherine was a Child Welfare Case Worker in neighboring Currituck County. From there Catherine went on to become a full-time mother to their three children, while he went on to directorships in Davidson and Pitt Counties. In 1965, they moved to Raleigh, and the following year Catherine resumed her career as an adoption specialist for Wake County. She continued working for Wake County and the State of North Carolina in the field of adoption services until she retired in 1992.

Throughout her career, Catherine helped hundreds of children by placing them in foster and adoptive homes. Her life since retirement has been filled with grandchildren, church work, and travel. She was proud of being born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina, and loved travelling home to visit her family. Catherine was a humble, practical, and kind person, who lived her faith by giving to others and serving those in need.

In addition to her husband, Catherine was predeceased by her sister, Helen W. Frost and her brother, D.S "Bob" Wilkins. Catherine is survived by her children, Junius S. "Jess" Grimes, IV and wife Alice of Norfolk, VA, Cathy Grimes Tomasetti and husband John of Raleigh, and David C. Grimes and wife Cheryl of Raleigh; six grandhildren, Aleta Ennis, Alexandra Ennis, Samuel Grimes, William Grimes, Elijah Grimes, and Emily Grimes. She is also survived by her sister Martha D. Wilkins, her brother Charles H. Wilkins, seven sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at St. Giles Presbyterian Church and the committal at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Visitation will be 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7209 Glenwood Avenue.

Memorials may be made to St. Giles Presbyterian Church of Raleigh, where Catherine was a member, elder, and lifetime member of Presbyterian Women, or to the Heifer Project.

Condolences and special memories can be shared at www.MitchellatRMP.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC.