Lillian Grimes, a remembrance
Attention all Hounds!
Obedient Hound Dogs are most often the product of rigorous, consistent, and persistent training. The few who excel in the training up of Pups are held in high esteem. Such top notch trainers focus on the Pups. They groom them, nurture them, educate them, and turn them loose to run free. Lillian Grimes was a first class trainer/educator. Every young pup that came into her presence received her full attention. When any young pup left Mrs. Grimes' kennel it was prepared for the next step in its life. Her love accompanied each one forever more.
Mrs. Lillian Grimes departed this life on December 23, 2008 at the young age of 98. She is survived by her sister, Nellie Steenburgen, and her nieces, Mary Steenburgen and Nancy Steenburgen, as well as a multitude of adoring Pups grown into Hounds. Mrs. Grimes served the Newport School District for 47 years (1926-1973) as a teacher and administrator. She touched the lives of many. Almost each and every one of you will have a personal remembrance of Mrs. Grimes. I was blessed by her influence. She was my principal at Gibbs-Albright Elementary School from fourth through sixth grades (1961-1964) and one of my Sunday School teachers at the First United Methodist Church. Her encouraging demeanor left its mark on my heart. Her true love for teaching was most evident. I am confident that Mrs. Grimes saw all of us as her children and she wanted us to be the best we could possibly be.
She spent her latter years in the company of her sister, Nellie, in Sherwood, Arkansas. There will be a family visitation from 3-5pm tomorrow (Sunday, December 28) with a Remembrance Service at 4pm in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home in North Little Rock. Funeral services will be held in Newport on Monday, December 29 at 2pm at her beloved First United Methodist Church. A private burial will follow.
Her family has requested that memorials be made to Arkansas Hospice or to the Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics at UAMS/Education Section.
I know you will join me in holding Mrs. Grimes' memory and her family close in thought and prayer.
If dogs run free, then why not we
Across the swooping plain?
My ears hear a symphony
Of two mules, trains, and rain
The best is always yet to come
That's what they explain to me
Just do your thing, you'll be king
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, then why not me
Across the swamp of time?
My minds weaves a symphony
And a tapestry of rhyme
Oh, winds which rush my tale to thee
So it may flow and be
To each his own, it's all unknown
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, then what must be
Must be and that is all
True love and make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall
In harmony with the cosmic sea
True love needs no company
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole
If dogs run free
(Bob Dylan, 1970)
Thank you Mrs. Grimes for showing me the way and encouraging me to run free. I remember you with love!
joe
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