Ruby Pauline "Smith" Grigsby

Ruby Pauline “Smith” Grigsby, 91, of Jonesboro died Saturday January 1, 2011 at the Culpepper Place in Jonesboro. She was born in Alicia, Arkansas and had lived in Jonesboro since 1960, moving here from Jackson, Tennessee. She was a retired school teacher and a member of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church. She was a Rosie the Riveter during WWII at a bomb factory in Jacksonville, Arkansas. She played basketball in 1937 for the Woman’s Arkansas Redheads team and also for Arkansas College at Batesville now Lyons College.

She married Ray October 4, 1942 at Camp Carson, Colorado. She raised four children while attending Arkansas State University, graduating in August 1972, at the age of 52. She started her teaching career in Lafe, as a teacher and basketball coach. She retired at Harrisburg Central.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray Grigsby, parents, Fred and Pearl Wells Smith, one sister, Alice Whitmire, three brothers; John, Cecil, and Millard Smith.

Survived by her 2 sons, Rick Grigsby (Kathy) of West Plains, Missouri and Raiford Grigsby of Jonesboro.

Two daughters, Janice Sparks (Towny) of Kennett, Missouri and Paula Gordon (Joe) of Jonesboro.

Two brothers, Larry Smith of Hoxie, and Monroe Smith of Walnut Ridge.
One sister, Delena Webb of Springfield, Missouri.
Eight grandchildren, Towny Sparks II (Dee Dee), Tracy Ellis (Mark), Reid Grigsby (Tracy), Laura Beth Wade (Cory), Paul Gordon (Shandee), Ericka Atkins (Craig), Clayton Grigsby (Amanda) and Leanne Bass (Brandon). Sixteen great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Chris Cooper, Tim Johnson, Rick Grigsby and David Smith officiating. Burial will be at Jonesboro Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be Paul Gordon, Craig Atkins, Reid Grigsby, Clayton Grigsby, Rusty Grigsby, Kendall Snedeker, Allen Smith and Jeff Webb.
Honorary pallbearers will be Towny Sparks II, Mark Ellis, Cory Wade and Brandon Bass.

Visitation will be from 6-7:30 P.M. Monday at Emerson Memorial Chapel.

Family requests that lasting memorials be made to the Cornerstone United Methodist Church 1910 Disciple Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401, or the American Heart Association National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.