grizzell 01Minnie Frances Watson-Grizzell, aged 98 ½,  of Silver City, NM passed away peacefully on April 28, 2019 at Santa Clara Assisted Living in Santa Clara, NM.  She was born on November 3, 1920 in Old Blox, Jasper County, Texas to Elmer Ellis Stringer and Dawn May “Mammie” Henry Stringer, one of six children.  She spent her childhood and most of her adult life in Kirbyville, Texas. She married John “Jack” Elgin Watson on November 17, 1939 in Kirbyville, Texas. Together they had one daughter, Virginia “Ginger” Lee Watson. Jack enlisted in the US Army in 1944 as a Combat Infantryman and was deployed to Rhineland in Central Europe during WWII, earning several decorations and citations, including a Purple Heart and during Jack’s deployment, Minnie attended Business School in Beaumont, TX.  Jack returned home to Kirbyville in January 1946, eventually owning his own business, the Kirbyville Gas Company. Minnie joined him in the family business and was the receptionist, accountant and general manager. They enjoyed traveling with their Airstream trailer, fishing and golfing at Sam Rayburn Lake and Golf Course, finding the best catfish shacks in East Texas, and flying in Jack’s airplane, until during one severe dust storm in the Texas Panhandle when Minnie was afraid they weren’t going to make a safe landing told Jack, “if we make it down, either the plane goes or I go”. Jack sold the plane and they drove home. They enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, who would visit every summer and get “carried” on many adventures and travels. Minnie was active in her church, played the piano and organ and volunteered for many projects. When Jack became ill, they sold their retirement home at Sam Rayburn Lake and moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1991 to be closer to family. Jack passed away on June 8, 1997 after a long illness.

Minnie then met a very special man, Edward “Ed” F. Grizzell, who taught her many of the finer things in life, including how to set up an email account so she could keep in touch with her family and friends, and how to play and win at Blackjack. They were married on May 17th, 2000 and they continued to live in Kaysville, Utah with their beloved cats “Mr. Cat and Miss Kitty”, frequently traveling to Wendover, Nevada to pay their “Nevada taxes”.  Ed passed away on March 15, 2015. Minnie then moved to Silver City, NM with her daughter Ginger, son-in-law Ernie, and cat Ms. Bigglesworth. She enjoyed living in New Mexico and made many friends during her brief time in the area.  She became a member of the Valley Community Church in Arenas Valley, attending regularly until her health declined from the effects of a stroke. She was preceded in death by both parents, both husbands, sisters and brothers (Elma, Edna, Juanita, Jim and Cowboy), daughter Virginia “Ginger” Lee Davenport, and grandson, Mark Daniel Davenport.  She is survived by her son-in-law Ernest “Ernie” J. Davenport of Silver City, NM, granddaughter Laura Davenport (Johnny) Reed of San Lorenzo, NM, great-granddaughters Richelle Price of Silver City, NM, Jessica Price of Phoenix, AZ, and Taylor Davenport of Bella Vista, AR, great-grandsons Jared (Mathylen) Davenport of Arlington, VA, and Mitchel (Dylan) Davenport of Las Vegas, NV, and one great-great grandson, Ashton Davenport of Arlington, VA.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Through her generosity, she directed that a memorial fund in her name be established at the Valley Community Church in Arenas Valley, NM, to continue her legacy of giving to her community. Through the Minnie Watson-Grizzell Memorial Fund, the Valley Community Church has been able to fund several projects to benefit their congregation and community, particularly the youth members. Minnie has been cremated and a Celebration of Life service is planned at the Kirbyville City Cemetery in Kirbyville, TX on her 99th birthday, Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 at 2pm, followed by a reception at Janice’s Dinner Bell Café in Kirbyville, TX at 3pm.  As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Minnie Watson-Grizzell Memorial Fund c/o Valley Community Church, 19 Racetrack Road, Silver City, NM 88061. 

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