Alex Patterson “Pat” Grimsley, 74, of the Frank Community in Irwin County, died Thursday, October 27, 2011, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Saturday, October 29, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Edward McIntyre officiating. Interment will follow in Whitley Cemetery. The body will lie-in-state at the residence, 627 Frank Church Road, after Noon on Friday until 1 PM on Saturday.
Mr. Grimsley was born December 21, 1936 in Blakely, GA, the last of 10 children, to the late Joseph Franklin and Gertrude Thompson Grimsley. He moved to Irwin County in 1953 from Early County and was a 1956 graduate of Irwin County High School. He had worked as a Decontamination Contractor in the nuclear industry since 1990. He was also former owner/operator of Pat’s Corner Grocery in Fitzgerald and a former delivery driver for Fitzgerald Ice Company. He was a member of Frank Primitive Baptist Church and enjoyed woodworking in his shop.
He is survived by his children and their spouses: Donna & Van Griffin of Bonaire, Lynn & Randy Strange of Hawkinsville and Stephen & Tonya Grimsley of Irwin County; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law: J.E. “Chuck” & Sissie Grimsley of Dothan, AL; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Dorothy Royal Grimsley in 2001 as well as 5 brothers and 3 sisters.