Michael D. Grindstaff

Leicester - Michael Dennis Grindstaff, 62, of Leicester died Monday, June 22, 2009 peacefully in his sleep after a period of declining health. Mr. Grindstaff was a son of the late John Robert and Bessie Elizabeth Grindstaff. He served in the US Army and was a disabled Vietnam Veteran and Prisoner of War. He was honored with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Mr. Grindstaff worked as a truck driver for over 25 years at Grace Fuel Company, BP Motor Lines and Southern Concrete. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Ingle, Julia Hudgins and Earnestine Lunsford and one brother, Robert Earl Grindstaff. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Brenda Norton Grindstaff of the home; daughter, Laura Grindstaff Masters of Leicester; son, John Neil Grindstaff of Cleveland, Ohio; granddaughters, Karri DeBord Hamlin of Charlotte and Kristen Ashley Masters of Leicester; grandson, Joshua Tyler DeBord of Leicester; sisters, Almarine Moore of Weaverville and Linda Rice of Newport, TN; brother, James Edward Grindstaff of Jacksonville, FL; a special sister-in-law, Gertrude Rice and many friends and neighbors. Mike never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face and a joke to share. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, Papaws Precious Darling, Papaws Buddy and Papaws Girl. Funeral services will be held 2 P.M. Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The Rev. Gary Haynes and Rev. Ricky Chandler will be officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.