Betty Ruth Stewart Grizzard

Mrs. Betty Ruth Stewart Grizzard, 88, of Thomaston, passed away Friday, November 29, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family at her home of over 50 years in Thomaston, GA.  Funeral services for Mrs. Grizzard will be held on Monday, December 2, at 11:00 AM, at the First Presbyterian Church of Thomaston.  Dr. Glenn Gilstrap will officiate, and interment will follow in Upson Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends at the church Monday from 10:00 AM until the funeral hour.

Mrs. Grizzard was born on October 5, 1936, in White Plains, GA, to the late Clinton J. Stewart and the late Dorothy Ward Stewart.  She was a 1954 graduate of Greensboro High School in Greensboro, GA, and a 1957 graduate of Crawford W.Long School of Nursing in Atlanta.  She worked as a private nurse for a local doctor's office, as a nurse at Crawford Long Hospital, and later for the American Red Cross.  She met her husband of 62 years, the late Martin Grizzard, at the Plaza Pharmacy in Atlanta when she went in to drop off film to be developed. After their marriage in 1960, the moved to Milton, FL, where Martin was stationed in the Navy and Betty worked at the local hospital. They later returned to Atlanta, started their family, and then moved to Thomaston in 1965.  Betty and Martin loved to travel together, and she really enjoyed sharing her travel experiences to different parts of the world with her family and friends. She and Martin were fortunate to be able to serve together on several mission trips to Zambia.  The beach was a special place for her;  the times that she spent in Panama City with her family, extended family, and friends held many of her favorite memories. She enjoyed opening her home to loved ones and hosting favorite traditions such as the annual 4th of July get together, Christmas Eve party after church services, and New Year's Day feasts, as well as gatherings of extended family for both the Stewart and Grizzard families.  Over the last few years, she enjoyed playing cards weekly with friends.  Betty was loved by many friends, and to know her was to know that you could find her to have an honest opinion or advice, a listening ear, a helping hand, or just a shoulder to cry on when needed.  She was a member of First Presbyterian Church since moving to Thomaston.  She was also a member of the John Houston Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.

In addition to her parents and her husband,  Betty was preceded in death by a sister,  Dorothy Lou Stewart Rabun, a brother C.J. Stewart Jr,, and an infant sister.  She is survived by a brother Wilburn T. Stewart of Claxton; brother-in-law Sam Rabun of Louisville; and a sister Vivian (J.D) Ledford of Young Harris. She is also survived by three brothers-in-law:  Kenneth (Becky) Grizzard of Charleston, TN; Terry (Teresa) Grizzard of Trenton, GA; and Gary Lynn (Kristie) Grizzard of Soddy Daisy, TN.  Betty was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She leaves behind  her children: Stacy Grizzard of Thomaston, Stewart (Teesa) Grizzard of Cochran, Pam (Jeff) Ansel of Sharpsburg, and Martin T. Grizzard Jr. of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren: Cory Grizzard, Catherine Grizzard, Garrett (Brittany) Grizzard, Landon (Erica) Grizzard, Payne (Layla) Tripp, Betsy Mason, Stephen (Macie) Ansel, Nicholas Ansel, William Ansel, Julie (Brian) Travis, and Carly (Travis) Korink;  and great grandchildren: Gage Hill, Charlie Korink, and Athena Tripp.   Betty will be missed by many nieces and nephews who will always have special memories of "Aunt Betty Ruth".

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Thomaston, 403 Birdsong Street, Thomaston, GA  30286.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.  Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com