Theartis Grigsby

Theartis Grigsby was born November 10, 1945, in Los Angeles, to Enoch and Lillie Mae Grigsby. Theartis was the youngest of three and the apple of his older sister, Mary Alice’s eye. Theartis lost both of his parents before he made it into his twenties. He is known to speak on his mother, Lillie Mae, having a small frame, but a tough hand. He always smiled when he told stories of how she didn’t play.

“A man that don’t work don’t eat.” Is a scripture that Theartis often quoted and lived. He was a hard worker and worked all of his life. Even at the ripe age of 73 he still worked full time at Danfoss. It had been joked that he worked harder than many of the young guys! Whenever someone would ask him when he was going to finally retire for good, Theartis would just smile and say “Nah, I have to take care of my wife and babies.”  

Lord, “I’m looking for a redhead woman. All of ‘that.’ I’m looking for all of that! Lo and behold, my mother in-law’s daughters came for a visit. I said, boy, God, if that ain’t it, I don’t know what is!” She was exactly it for 43 years. He had met the true love of his life, his best friend, Donna Rhea. Together the two cared for five children and raised two of their grandchildren. They enjoyed spending time with their family, attending church and studying the Word of God together.

Anyone that knew Theartis knows that he had a deep love for the Word of God. As a young adult he would reread the entire bible over and over. As he matured in age and his relationship with Christ, his thirst for the Word grew. He became somewhat a bible scholar in his own right. Theartis was a member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. It was there that he was able to share his love for the Word. He is responsible for organizing the Monday night bible class. Nevertheless, Theartis did not wait until he went to church to share the Word. He shared his wisdom with his family and friends. He ministered to them whenever an obstacle of life would arise. He always had a just right Word to share.

Anyone coming to the Grisgby house knew that they were going to not only get a great laugh from the fun loving jokester, but they would also hope to see him at one of his smokers cooking a slab of ribs or a brisket. Theartis was known for his smoked meat. He was also known for his competitiveness when playing games like dominoes, spades, and a family created game, frustration (marbles). He made sure that guest were met with superb hospitality when they visited.

 Theartis Grigsby left this earth to join his Heavenly Father at the age of 73, on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia.

He left to continue his legacy his wife of 43 years, Donna (Robinson) Grigsby; his daughter, Teresa Grigsby; his daughter, Trena Grigsby; his son, Theartis Grigsby, Jr. his wife Noriko Grigsby; his son Timothy Grigsby his wife Lysa Grigsby; his daughter, Hershel Grigsby, his grand(daughter), Myeisha Haywood; his grand(son) De’Von Dedmon; seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; his sister Mary Alice Lewis; and Nephew Ronnie Lewis; his nephew, Freddie Lewis; his niece, Arnesa Lewis, many family members and friends.

Public visitation will be Sunday, September 1, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2, 2019 at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church with Rev. Johnny Harris, eulogist. Public viewing will be one hour prior to the service.  Cremation services will be proveided by Williams Funeral Home.