Gloria Grigsby Carrell

Gloria Vey Grigsby Carrell, 77, of Springfield, passed away on November 25, 2024, after a painful struggle with cancer. She was born on July 27, 1947, in Champaign, Illinois, to Lewis Matthews and Juanita Zimmerman Grigsby and grew up in Pittsfield. She married Duane B. Carrell on June 22, 1975. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her oldest son, Todd.

Gloria graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1969, majoring in Speech and History and receiving elementary and secondary education certificates. While at SMU she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Angel Flight, several academic honorary organizations, and Campus Crusade for Christ.

After college Gloria worked for two Dallas brokerage firms, was a flight attendant for National Airlines in 1973 and met her husband while employed with the Dallas law firm of Stroud and Smith. She bore three sons in Dallas: Todd Lewis (1977-2022), Anthony Owen (Tony) (1979), and Drew Grigsby (1982). While living in Fairfax County, Virginia from 1988-1994, she became interested in Revolutionary and Civil War history and loved being involved in her sons’ activities and education, especially Tony’s classes for autistic children. Upon moving to Chatham in 1994 she became involved in Civil War reenacting and the history of the Lincoln sites. Gloria was a costumed interpreter at New Salem Pioneer Village and served on the seasonal staff at the Old State Capitol and Lincoln-Herndon Law office where she led tours for visitors from all over the world.

As a charter member of Captain William Penny Chapter-Daughters of the American Revolution she chaired Project Patriot which supported the military following the terror attacks of 9/11. Gloria was also a charter member of The Soldiers Aid Society of Springfield, affiliated with the 114th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry which performed ceremonies at the Lincoln Tomb and other historic sites. For several years she set up a display depicting the United States Christian Commission, which supported critical needs for the Union Army during the Civil War. The musical productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber, especially Phantom of the Opera, captivated her, as well as the Star Wars movies. She was a Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed snow and water skiing, traveling and restoring the Grigsby family home in Pittsfield. She was a wonderful mother to her sons and adored her grandchildren. Gloria was a member of Chatham Christian Church for the past 26 years and served as representative to Inner City Mission until her health prevented it.

She is survived by her husband; sons, Anthony (Tony) and Drew; grandchildren, Dominic and Danica; sister, Juanita Karol Rees (William), brother, Lewis Grigsby, Jr. (Sue); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at Chatham Christian Church, 9897 S. Main St., Chatham, IL. Funeral Ceremony will follow at 11:00 a.m.

Graveside Ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at West Cemetery in Pittsfield, IL.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to SPARC, 232 Bruns Lane, Springfield, IL 62702, and Chatham Christian Church, P.O. Box 527, Chatham, IL 62629.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.