Charlene Grisham

Charlene Grisham went to be with her Savior Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at the age of 91. Visitation will be 12:00 – 2:00 PM Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 S. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 PM at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy 277 S.

Charlene was born September 30, 1927 in Tahoka, Texas to Judge Clyde and Thelma Irene Sage. She attended Sundown Schools before graduating from Rising Star High School in May, 1945. She was class reporter, which led to a $50 scholarship to Draughon’s Business College in Abilene. This scholarship and work allowed her to pay the $250 fee to attend school.

Charlene married Norman Ray Grisham October 19, 1947 at a pastor’s home in Abilene. The couple honeymooned in Ft. Worth and Dallas, and then moved to West Columbia, Texas, where she worked for Roy Wright Appliances. Upon moving to Abilene, she worked at Montgomery Ward and Beall’s Department Stores, retiring at age 81.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Ray; her parents; brothers Orville Sage and William Sage; and sisters Mary Cutbirth, Juanita Haggerton and Helen Hensley.

She is survived by her daughters, Darlene Trowbridge and husband Jim of Clyde; Janice Ray Fomby and husband David of Flower Mound; and Denise Smith and husband Lawrence of Flower Mound; one brother, Judge Clyde Sage of Abilene; two sisters, Ruby Laverne Reed of Odessa, and Thelma Janet Ellison of Monahans; five grandsons; three granddaughters; two great-grandsons; four great-granddaughters, and numerous nieces and nephews.