From the beginning, getting a good education was instilled in him, especially by his beloved grandmother, Annie Jackson, who gave him his first spanking because he wouldn’t do his homework back in grade school. He had to ride the bus across the county to attend the segregated school, but he finished high school at age 17.
For many years, he enjoyed attending the biennial reunions for his high school. Happily, despite his health, he was even able to attend his most recent high school reunion in Alabama in September 2018.
After high school, George enrolled in the military and, surprisingly ended up serving with a friend from grade school with whom he continued friendship. During one of his leaves, he came back home to marry his sweetheart, Audrey. (For full details see the Houston Chronicle article titled “Love Story: Audrey and George Grigsby make the most of 48-years together” by Kim Kyle Morgan on 09/23/2011.)
Following an honorable military discharge, George and his bride settled in Nashville. She finished nursing school and he, valuing education, enrolled in college. While at work, Audrey was stunned to see in the city paper that her groom had joined the college boxing team! He used the boxing scholarship to pay his college tuition. While in school, he studied with a small group of guys and that group maintained a lifelong friendship.
He boxed. He studied. He graduated - with his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Job offers abounded from all over the U.S.; they decided to make their new home in Houston, Texas, where he took his first corporate job in an accounting firm downtown. He realized, however, that additional education would serve him well in his field. So he obtained his Master’s Degree.
George quickly learned that working for others was not quite suited for him, so he courageously opened his very own accounting business. He went door-to-door to acquire clients. He earned his license to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas. Audrey left nursing to help him in the business and the kids and grandson were trained to work there, too. As the decades passed, his clients became near and dear to his heart.
George’s education was not just career-oriented. He and Audrey always had an interest in learning about spiritual things. Together, they began a serious study of the Bible leading them to become Jehovah’s Witnesses. George was baptized on January 20, 1974. He used his Bible-based education to teach others about the beautiful hope for the future that Jehovah God gives us in his Word. He actively went door-to-door, this time to spread the good news, like Jesus did. He served as an elder in his congregation for many years. When his health declined, he continued his preaching work by helping to conduct congregation meetings in the local prison and by witnessing to his health care team. His fellow brothers and sisters were near and dear to his heart.
George towered over most, standing a big, broad 6’5.” Many cowered in his presence, intimidated by his size. But most knew that he had an enormous heart. He had many loves. He spent over 55 years married to, as he would often say, “the same person,” the love of his life. He loved having a full house of people. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends came to visit and/or stay for extended periods of time. He enjoyed hosting the congregation Bible study at the house for many years. He loved telling jokes, especially about Audrey. He had a dry sense of humor. Even though his jokes were corny, people would still just laugh anyway. People loved George.
Some called him a Gentle Giant. Some called him Big George or Tiny. Others called him Brother G. In his hometown, he was known as George Edward. At home, we lovingly called him PawPaw and Father.
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