Mary Wilson "Roten" Grindstaff
- FrostFuneralHome
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Mary Wilson “Roten” Grindstaff, age 95, of Abingdon, Virginia, passed away on June 5, 2025. She was born January 16, 1930, in Washington County Virginia, to Thomas and Ester Barr Wilson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Glen Roten; second husband, Paschal Grindstaff; brothers Warren Wilson and Homer Wilson; sisters Helen Brooks, Hazel Gentry, Katherine Baker.
She is survived by sisters Betty Wright (Lacy) and Joan Smith; sister-in-law Evon Wilson, and brother-in-law Bill Gentry. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Mary was a graduate of Emory and Henry College and received a master's degree from Appalachian State University. She taught for many years in Washington County Schools and at Virginia Highlands Community College.
She was very active in her church and in several professional and community service organizations.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Grindstaff Scholarship Fund at Emory and Henry College, Abingdon United Methodist Church Building Fund or Memorial Garden, or to your favorite charity or church.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Judy, Evelyn, Juanita, and the Caris nursing staff for their compassionate care and support. Your kindness and dedication meant so much during a difficult time.
Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Knollkreg Mausoleum in Abingdon, Virginia with Tim Smith officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the mausoleum by 10:45 A.M.
Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Mary Grindstaff.
Mary was a superb teacher for many of us in her English classes at Damascus High School (the "Rock School"). She always made both the "grammar" and the "literature" sections of English effective and inspiring. She came to the Damascus school right out of Emory and Henry and her first assigned job was to teach a combined sixth and seventh grade in one classroom, which amazed me. (I know there used to be one-room schools in our history, but had not heard of combined classes in my time.) When my high school class celebrated our 30th anniversary, Mary was our invited honorary gues. Even though I've lived away from Damascus I tried to be in touch with and see Mary…