Mr. Grizzard was born on October 17, 1938, in Hixson, Tennessee, to the late Martin Van Grizzard and Laura Haynes Grizzard and was the oldest of four boys. He was a graduate of Hixson High School and a 1964 graduate of Mercer University's Southern School of Pharmacy. He served in the US Navy Reserves, having two years of active duty. In 1965, the Grizzards moved to Thomaston where Mr. Grizzard was employed as a staff pharmacist at Upson County Hospital. A year later, he and his friend, the late Bentley Adams, opened Northside Drugs, of which Mr. Grizzard eventually became the sole owner. In 2013, the store gained its one millionth new customer. In 2016 when the business celebrated its 50th year of service to the community, Northside Drugs was honored by the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce as the Business of the Year. Mr. Grizzard was actively involved in the operation of the business for fifty-two years. He was appointed to the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy by Governor George Busbee. He served on that board for ten years and was president of the organization from 1984-1985. He was elected to and served two terms on the Upson County Board of Education (1971-1981), was a member of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce for 50 years where he served several years on the Board of Directors, was a member of the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council since its creation, and served of the board of Summerhouse Condominiums in Panama City Beach, FL. Every year his business proudly sponsored local sports teams and community events. Mr. Grizzard had taken part in six medical mission trips to Africa with Drs. Keith Huckaby and Dan Bramlett. He had attended the First Presbyterian Church since moving to Thomaston.
Mr. Grizzard is survived by his wife of almost sixty-two years, Betty Stewart Grizzard of Thomaston; one daughter, Pam (Jeffrey) Ansel of Sharpsburg, GA; three sons: Martin T. Grizzard, Jr. of Pensacola, FL; Michael Stacy Grizzard of Woodland, GA; and Dr. Stewart Van (Teesa) Grizzard of Cochran, GA; three brothers: Kenneth (Becky) Grizzard of Cleveland, TN,; Terry (Teresa) Grizzard of Trenton, GA; and Gary Lynn (Kristie) Grizzard of Soddy Daisy, TN; eleven grandchildren: Julie (Brian) Travis, Carly (Travis) Korink, Cory Grizzard, Catherine Grizzard, Stephen Ansel, Nicholas Ansel, William Ansel, Garrett Grizzard, Landon Grizzard, Payne Tripp, and Becky Mason; three great grandchildren: Gage Hill, Charlie Korink, and Athena Tripp; two sisters-in-law: Dorothy S. (Sam) Rayburn of Greensboro, GA, and Vivian S. (J. D.) Ledford of Hiawassee, GA; and a brother-in-law, Wilburn Stewart of Claxton, GA. Countless loved nieces and nephews also survive.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 403 Birdsong Street, Thomaston, GA 30286, or to Jubilee Centre Zambia, c/o Dr. Dan Bramlett, 384 Quail Run, Thomaston, GA 30286.
Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment