George William Grier

MACON – George William Grier, Jr., 99, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Tommy Martin and Rev. Cile Mitchell officiating. Burial will be private in Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street.

George was born June 4, 1911 in Macon, Georgia. He was the son of the late George William Grier, Sr. and Bertha Lutheria Hargrove Grier. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Coleman Hodges Grier. Mr. Grier graduated in the 1st class of Lanier High for boys in 1929.

George was active in the community until he died. He was a devoted member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church. He was baptized at Second Street Methodist Church and was a member of Cherokee Heights United Methodist Church for 75 years where he was treasurer of the Sunday School Department.

George had been a volunteer at Macon Outreach for over 20 years where he used his professional background in retail clothing to sort and give away clothing. George worked for over ten years at the yard sales at the Methodist Home for Children. He received an award for the volunteer of the year from the Methodist Home in 2005.

Some of George’s other volunteer activities include the American Red Cross where he and his wife, Sarah were given the Kate Shakespear Award in 1992. He was active in the Hammer Hearts and Hands group at Mulberry. George worked at the water station at Tom Hill Kroger everyday that water was given out during the flood of 1994. He received the WMAZ Straight from the Heart Award in 2005.

George was the oldest member of the Macon Exchange Club where he was always at top ticket seller for the Georgia State Fair. George received the Golden Book of Deeds Award from the Club.

George had been a boy scout since 1923. He was an Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver Award in 1950. George was a life long scout and was the Scout Master of Troop 1 and 23 at Cherokee Heights United Methodist Church for over 25 years. George out fitted many scouts at Joseph N. Neels.

It was through George’s association with scouts that he was hired at Joseph N. Neel Company in 1932. His first job was elevator operator. George said, “I didn’t start at the top.” In 1970, he became vice-president and comptroller. He retired in 1982 after 50 years of service.

George served in WWII with the Army Air Corp. where he achieved the rank of Captain. He was stationed in Cairo, Egypt as a Communications Officer.

George was always active. He loved the Wellness Center where he was everyone’s role model. He enjoyed gardening and giving away his tomatoes to friends and family. He was a Certified Master Gardener.

As his minister once said, “I wish I had a hundred like him.” George Grier volunteer extraordinaire!

He will be missed by his family who loved him dearly. He is survived by his children, George William Grier, III (Becky) of Lincolnton, NC; Mary Anne Gaudry (Frank) of Macon; sister, Carolyn Coolidge of Apopka, FL; grandchildren, Jennifer and Jeff Gaudry of Macon, Kathy Smith (Tom) of Knoxville, TN, Dr. Laura Grier of Mooresville, NC, David Grier of Shelby, NC; great-grandchilden, Brooks and Coleman Rumney of Macon, Emily and Sydney Smith of Knoxville, TN; several nieces and nephews.

The family request that donations be made to Macon Outreach, P O Box 149, Macon 31202 or Methodist Home for Children and Youth, 304 Pierce Avenue, Macon 31204 or Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, 719 Mulberry Street, Macon 31201.

The family asks that the Solomon Fellowship Class sit together as a group and the Macon Exchange Club to sit together as well.

The family would like to thank John Wesley Villas for their care and kindness.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.