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- ELIZABETHTON - Earl "Jabo" Grindstaff, age 86, of Elizabethton passed away surrounded by his family and friends on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at the Johnson City Medical Center.
Earl was born in Carter County, Tennessee to the late Thomas R.L. Grindstaff and Eva Brown Bowers Grindstaff. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Junior Grindstaff.
Earl was a devoted and loving husband, father, papaw, and great papaw. He was the owner and operator of Grindstaff Used Cars for over 52 years and he proudly served his country as a United States Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. Earl was a member of Highlands Fellowship and was a volunteer fireman for the Elizabethton/ Carter County Fire Department. He was hardworking and determined and had an abundance of energy. He also enjoyed Nascar, woodworking and in fact he had taught a class in woodworking. Earl also enjoyed hunting and made hunting trips to Wyoming each year.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 56 years, Shirley Sams Grindstaff, of the home; a son, Rob Grindstaff and wife Tara, of Elizabethton; two daughters, Tammy Leonard and husband Barry, of Blackburg, VA and Teri Oaks, of Bristol, TN; three grandchildren, Heather Cook and husband Lafe, of Kingsport and Jeffrey Grindstaff and Jennifer Oaks, both of Elizabethton; one great granddaughter, Piper Cook, of Kingsport; three sisters, Carlene Norton, of Carter County, Geraldine Hutsell, of Florida and Kathleen Grindstaff; and his special friends, Bert Jarrett, Freeman Taylor, Bill Fields and Jeff Williams.
A service to celebrate and honor the life of Earl "Jabo" Grindstaff will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 3, 2019 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Mr. Kirk Sams, officiating. Music will be provided by Mikki Hale, soloist. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Sunday.
The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Bert Jarrett, Bill Fields, Bobby Jones, Jeff Williams and Lafe Cook.
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Abt 1933 - 2019 (~ 86 years)
