Clifton Lewis "Granny" Grandstaff

CLIFTON LEWIS ?GRANNY? GRANDSTAFF, age 94, of Knoxville, TN passed away at home on April 4, 2012, surrounded by his loving wife of 73 years, along with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Born August 16, 1917 in Walla Walla, Washington, he came to Knoxville with his father and sister. It is here where he made his life with his wife and children. He was a dedicated and faithful member of Swann?s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church since 1940, where only a few services were missed due to his aging health. He retired from Royal Crown Bottling Company after 35 years of service. He is preceded in death by his father, David Andrew Grindstaff; mother, Minnie Cook Grindstaff; stepmother, Kitty ?Mother? Grindstaff; sister, Evelyn Ivey; step-sister, Molly Strange; step-brothers, Homer and Roy Julian. He is survived by his wife, Thelma ?Sis? Loveday Grandstaff; his five children, J. D. and Carolyn Grandstaff, June and Bob Bates, Don and Peggy Grandstaff, Jane and Gary Mays, and Bill and Marsha Grandstaff; his nine grandchildren, Pennie and Jeff Cable, Gary and Jennifer Bates, Sadonna Cass, David and Julie Grandstaff, Karen and Rodney Strange, Rick and Lisa Mays, Billy and Christy Grandstaff, Jamie Snyder, Megan and Todd O?Dell; nineteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Although the patriarch of our family has gone to be with the Lord and Savior, we are truly blessed to have his presence still alive in all of us. His quiet strength and humorous spirit will be his legacy and live through our family?s history. Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2012 at Swann?s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Haun and Dr. Sonny Strange officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. Graveside interment service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning at Swann?s Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Bates, David Grandstaff, Rick Mays, Billy Grandstaff, Jerry Cates and Jacob Pratt. Honorary pallbearers will be Swann?s Chapel Men?s Sunday School Class and special friend, Charles Briggs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Swann?s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Activity Center, PO Box 369, Dandridge, TN 37725. The family is so appreciative of Caris staff members, Kimberly Spears and Shannon Keener. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge, TN (865) 397-2711