Gaines E. Royston

Gaines married Maggie Harriet Littleford on 28 Jun 1911 in Sullivan County, , , Tennessee. Maggie was born on 2 Oct 1889 in Sullivan County, , , Tennessee; died on 26 Oct 1980. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Howard married Ethel Florence Carder on 25 Dec 1935 in Washington County, , , Tennessee. Ethel (daughter of David Nelson Carder and Julia Lockette Whitaker) was born on 2 Apr 1917 in , Washington County, Tennessee, ; died on 16 Feb 1991 in Washington County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Monte Vista Memorial Park, , Washington County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Clarence Grindstaff on 11 Sep 1944 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee. Clarence (son of Isaac C. "Ike" Grindstaff and Julia Grindstaff) was born about 1924 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; died in ABGT 1997 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Monte Vista Memorial Park, , Washington County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

July 5, 1933 – December 1, 2016

On Thursday, December 1, Betty went home peacefully to meet Jesus and His saints.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gaines E. Royston and Maggie Littleford Royston; siblings, Arlie, Howard, George "GW", Clyde, Floyd, Molissie Royston Collins, and Mary Lee Royston Grindstaff. She was also preceded in death by her former husband, Roy C. Hodges.

Betty is survived by: her three children, Bobby Hodges of Johnson City, Sharon Alvis and her husband Bill of Jonesborough, and Jeff Hodges and his wife Bonnie of Morganton, NC; five grandchildren, Angela Johnson of Baltimore, MD, Justin Alvis and wife Cicely of Jonesborough, Tamana Phillips and husband Kenny of Gastonia, NC, Tina Karst and husband Chris of Fort Worth, TX, and Katelyn Lee and husband Corey of Morganton, NC; eight great grandchildren, Gaines William Johnson, Austin, Blake, and Dalton Phillips, Skyler, Hunter, and Trenton Karst, and much anticipated great granddaughter, McKenna Ruth Lee, to arrive in January 2017. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Lillian Royston and Opal Royston; special friend, Kelly Johnson; niece and caregiver, Susie Grindstaff; as well as many more nieces and nephews.

Betty was fun loving and a free spirit. She was a follower of Jesus, always smiling, praying for and encouraging others. She was a member of Boone Trail Baptist Church where she was a former choir member and Sunday school teacher. Betty was a previous resident of West Palm Beach, FL where she left many cherished friends. She loved spending time with her family and her cherished Tuesday card group (Sara, Karen, Carmen, and Pat), and never missed an opportunity to tell a joke. Betty enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, and has now embarked upon an eternal journey with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The family plans a Celebration of Life service for Tuesday, December 27, 2016 6:00 PM. Details will be forthcoming at Boone Trail Baptist Church.

Notes:

Buried:
James Royston went to be with the Lord on June 29, 2021 after a recurrence of cancer. He was the son of the late Howard Hicks Royston and Ethel Carder Royston and the loving husband of Jeannie Royston for 55 years.

Jim loved the Lord and people. He spent his entire life bringing joy to others and leading people to become followers of Christ. He spent his early life working in carpentry with his father and that passion continued throughout his life. He worked on many projects with Habitat for Humanity and North Carolina Baptist Men.

In the early 1970s, Jim took his family to Carson Newman College and served as a Resident Director while working on his degree. He later went on to Southeastern Theological Seminary to earn his Master’s Degree and a Doctorate of Ministry. In addition, he received an honorary Doctorate from Campbell University.

He pastored many churches and served as the Executive Director for the North Carolina Baptist State Convention. While he had many accomplishments, he will always be remembered for the love he had for his family. He and Jeannie shared a love that left an impact on anyone who knew them and she will miss him most of all.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Charlotte Hensley and Martha Royston.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeannie Royston; son, Jeff Royston and wife, Kelly; daughter, Jennifer Fielden and husband, Kevin; grandchildren, Brooke Royston, Brodie Royston, Henry Fielden and wife, Rachel, and Luke Fielden; great-grandchildren, Brayden Royston and Rylee Royston; sisters, Delores Fields, Jeannette Knight and Sandra Masters; brother, Joe Royston; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 11:00 am at Colonial Heights Baptist Church with Dr. Marvin Cameron and Dr. Greg Burton officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

The graveside service will be held on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Gunnings Cemetery.

Notes:

JOHNSON CITY - Debbie June Richardson, 60, of Johnson City died Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the Johnson City Medical Center following an extended illness.

She was a daughter of the late Clarence William and Mary Lee Royston Grindstaff. Debbie was a former clerk at Stockpot. She attended Snow Memorial Baptist Church. Survivors include: three sons and two daughters-in-law, Grant and Karey Garland of Blountville, Travis Richardson of Henning and Toby and Pam Richardson of Elizabethton; a sister, Clara "Susie" Grindstaff of Johnson City; two brothers, Marvin and Mike Grindstaff both of Telford; five grandchildren, Paige Garland, Coby Garland, Elijah Garland, Jeremiah Richardson and Aryan Richardson; her aunt, Lillian Royston and several cousins.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 11, 2017 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at the Morris – Baker Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the Oak Chapel under the direction of Rev. Lenny Smith. A committal service will be held in the Monte Vista Memorial Park following the funeral service.

Notes:

JOHNSON CITY - David Wayne Royston, age 57, of Johnson City, TN, passed away on, February 1, 2018, after a lengthy illness.

David was born in Johnson City, TN on January 11, 1961, to the late Floyd and Gladys Shell Royston. He worked for Gene Cox Mechanical Contractors as a plumber/pipefitter for 29 years. David was a member of The Fraternal Order of the Moose Lodge in Johnson City, as well as the Johnson City Elks Lodge #825. He loved playing golf, spending time with family and friends and going to "our" place at New Smyrna Beach.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by one brother, Steve Royston, sister-in-law, Debbie Royston and father-in-law, James Brown. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 10 years, Jan Brown Royston, one son, Wesley Royston and his mother Victoria Click, two brothers, Harold and Allen Royston, two sisters, Brenda (Will) Cole and Teresa Keller, two step-sons, Nathan (Stephanie) and Forrest Gentry, grandchildren, Russell, Aleena, Chloe, Xavier, and Evelyn, mother-in-law, Amy Brown and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind many special friends whom he considered to be his extended family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jaishankar, his staff, the excellent nurses at the Regional Cancer Center and Mountain States Hospice Care.