BARBARA ELLEN PHILLIPS GRINDLE, age 84 years, a well-known florist and whom with her family owned and operated Dodd’s Greenhouse of Elkins, WV departed this life early Sunday morning, March 3, 2013 at the Valentine Personal Care Home at Elkins, WV surrounded by her devoted family, friends and Marlene with Hospice Care.
She was born Wednesday, July 18, 1928 at Elkins, WV a daughter of the late Howard Gordon and Beulah Goff Phillips. On June 15, 1947 at Elkins, WV she married the love of her life, Paul Robert Grindle, who survives. They had celebrated sixty-five years of marriage. Also surviving are one daughter, Beverly Diane Reger and husband Dave, Buckhannon; one son, William Howard “Bill” Grindle, Elkins who is associated with his parents in the family business for forty years; two grandsons, William “Paul” Grindle; and Matthew David Reger and wife Carrie; and three great grandsons, West and new-born twins, Will and Hutch Reger. Her love extended to her surviving nephews, nieces, and their extended families: DeNeal and Cathy Phillips; Pam and Marc Repp; Stephen Phillips; Tammy Phillips; Cynthia and Bruce Kolsun; Rod Phillips; Connie and Dan Hoover; Kathy and Gary Fairies; Mark Phillips; Jennifer and Lee Grier; and a brother-in-law, Charles Kelly.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death are four brothers, DeNeal E. Phillips and wife Mary; Hayward C. Phillips and wife Barbara; Harold G. Phillips and wife Kathryn; and Robert G. “Bob” Phillips; one sister, Janet Faye Kelley; and a special daughter-in-law, Rosilee Grindle.
She was a graduate of Elkins High School with the Class of 1946. She attended Davis & Elkins College before marrying Paul and starting their family on Dent Street in Elkins. Throughout her floral career, she attended numerous Schools of Floral Design. Barbara was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Elkins, and Circle # 5 of the Church, the Randolph Chapter # 74, Order of the Eastern Star, the Ladies of Knights Templar and the John Hart Chapter-daughters of the American Revolution. She was a past member of the Floral Telegraph Delivery Association and a current member of Teleflora. She was a master designer in the seventy-seven year old family-owned floral/greenhouse business since 1954. As the business continues, her legacy will be remembered.
Barbara, known as “Bar” to those who loved her, will be especially remembered for her kind spirit, her giving ways and thinking of others before herself. Designing arrangements, answering the business telephone and engaging customers extended her gentle, kind manner to anyone whom met her. She never met a stranger and enjoyed sharing bits and pieces of her life with others. She was proud of her family and their accomplishments. The simple life of going to work, brightening the lives of others with her floral designs, as well as sharing memories with her family fulfilled her. She will be missed by all.
The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 8 PM, Wednesday. Final Rites will be conducted at the funeral home, Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 1:30 PM. The Rev. Barry R. Moll will officiate and interment will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery at Elkins, WV. There will be a Celebration of Life dinner following the committal at the First United Methodist Church.1932-2013 Obituary
