Jett Carter Groves

Jett Carter Groves, age 85, died November 20,2013 from complications of a brain tumor. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Irving M. Groves, Jr. of the home. She was born July 9th, 1928 in Martinsville, VA, graduated from Martinsville High School and attended Longwood University. Groves’s community involvement was extensive. She was past president and sustaining member of the Charity League of Martinsville and Henry County. When Groves was president of the Charity League, polio was a major problem. According to a story in the Martinsville Bulletin on Sept. 4, 2011, Groves said she “would go down in history as having spent the most money as the organization provided 3,120 local children with polio vaccinations during her term.” She was life-long and active member of First United Methodist Church having served on numerous committees, including the Administrative Board, the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Lunch Bunch and was a past president, secretary, treasurer and current courtesy chairman of the Wesley Guild. As an avid reader, she was a past president, secretary, treasurer and current courtesy chairman of Wednesday Book Club, one of the oldest continuously operating book clubs in the area. Additionally, she was a past member of the Garden Study Club; was on the organizing committee of King’s Grant; served as vice chairman of the United Way and was appointed by Governor John Dalton to serve on the citizen advisory committee overseeing furnishing and decorating the Virginia Governor’s Mansion. Jett was also member of Carolyn’s Ceramics where her artistic white hand-painted pieces were coveted. She was also proud president of the Supper Club. Groves actively supported community organizations including The Boys and Girl’s Club, Theatre Works, Piedmont Arts, Patrick Henry Community College and numerous other civic and fund raising activities. At the age of nine, Jett was elected mascot of the Virginia American Legion. She attended the National Convention of Legionaries in New York and held the distinction of being the only female in attendance at the banquet. She led the Virginia delegation down 5th Avenue in the annual American Legion parade. According to a September 22, 1937 story in the Martinsville Bulletin, “She was the darling of the convention.” She lived a full life and a life full of faith, family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn and George Carter, and two sisters, Virginia “Jingle” Carter Fulcher and Mary Prillaman Carter Meyers. Surviving in addition to her husband, are three children, Irving Minter Groves, III of Dallas Texas, Jett Groves Wood (Reed) of Williamstown, West Virginia and Mattie Groves Sheppard (Steve) of Martinsville; six grandchildren: Vaughn Heilman, Claiborne Linville (Darren), Mollie Blankenship, Jeremiah Wood, Micah Wood and A.J. Hice.; and three great grand-daughters. A brother, George Amos Carter of Atlanta, Ga. and a sister, Evelyn Carter Wood of Columbia, S.C, also survives her. A graveside service will be held at 10:00a.m on Saturday, November 23 at Oakwood Ceremony followed by a celebration of her life at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Ron Mateer and Keith Ritchie officiating. A reception will follow at Chatmoss Country Club. The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church from 5-7 p.m. on Friday November 22. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 146 E. Main St.,Martinsville, Virginia 24112 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. McKee-Stone Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. To express condolences on line, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.