Mary Grace Norris Grimes, 86, of Huntsville passed from this life on February 15, 2009 at her home in company of family and friends. She was born on November 4, 1922 at Equality in Coosa County, Alabama, to Alexander James Norris and Sarah Eulala Wilbanks.
After graduation from Sidney Lanier High School in 1941, she attended Draughon Business School in Montgomery, Alabama, and from school to private business as a secretary during WWII. She met her husband who was stationed at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery on 13 April 1941 and they were married on June 1, 1942 (66 ½ Years) at Prattville, Alabama.
Mrs. Grimes continued to work in Montgomery until her husband would return after rejoining the military. He was transferred over seas to South Korea and Japan. She and the first two children joined Lt. Grimes in Tokyo, Japan, on April 12, 1949 and were assigned quarters in Washington Heights.
After six months in Tokyo, Mary took a civil service job as a secretary on the G-4 Staff of General MacArthur’s Headquarters where she remained until her husband was transferred back to the states with the Army Security Agency in Ft. Devins, Masschusetts, in December 1951.
She again took a civil service job in personnel at Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Alabama, where her third child was born. Officer Grimes had recently left the military service to become a civil service Illustrator at the Craig AFB on July 6, 1953.
When her husband was transferred to Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery on July 7, 1956, Mary transferred at the same time and was assigned to the Legal Office.
In November 1958, the Grimes were transferred to Huntsville, Alabama where her husband was assigned to ABMA at Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center.
After a few years, Mary again, took a civil service job with the Army and retired in September 1981 as a Training Specialist at the U. S. Army Missile Command after thirty years of service.
Mrs. Grimes was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for 50 years. She was an active member of du Midi Women’s club and the United Methodist Women’s Club (Wesleyan Circle). As a volunteer she always supported the various church activities such as typing the weekly church newsletters for many months. Mrs. Grimes enjoyed playing bridge, golf, square dancing, sewing and working in her flower beds and yard.
Mrs Grimes is survived by her husband, Victor Simpson Grimes, Sr.; one sister, Sarah James Norris Carson; daughter, Jane Marie Grimes Posey; two sons, Victor Simpson Grimes, Jr. and wife Rebecca Ann Fowler and son James Andrew Grimes and wife Peggi Murnane; four grandchildren; Kimberly Leah Posey, William Oliver Posey, Jr. and wife Cristy Rogers, John Robert Grimes and wife Crystal McIntosh, David Victor Grimes and wife Melissa Rimes; five great grandchildren; Bailey Rose Posey McDonald, Sara Jane Copeland Posey John Christopher Grimes, Gavin Mitchell Corlett and Liberty Taylor Espey; One great great grandchild; Phoebe Rose Jones and host of nephews and nieces.
Visitation was on February 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 followed with a funeral service at 2:00 p.m at Trinity United Methodist Church with Dr. Charles Gattis officiating. Internment was in Valhalla Mausoleum, Chapel of Love, 700 Winchester Rd, NE, Huntsville, Alabama.
In lieu of floral arrangements, memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund, Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Road, SW, Huntsville, AL 35802.