Susie Pearl Grisham

Friday, January 3, 2020

Susie Pearl Grisham, 87, gained her angel wings on Dec. 19, 2019, in Bandon, Ore. She previously had her home in Blytheville for 47 years. Pearl was born to James and Annie Smith on April 2, 1932, in Statesboro, Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Wildon Smith, Paul Smith, and her one and only true love, Raymond “Arnold” Grisham. She met Arnold when he was stationed in Savannah and it was love at first sight. Pearl was a wonderful Christian woman. She loved working at Calvary Baptist Church as an assistant kindergarten teacher alongside her best friend, Joy Trantham, in the 1970s. She later worked in the jewelry department for Wal-Mart in the early 2000s. She was a previous member of the Parkside Extension Homemakers Club in Blytheville and loved to spend time at church and with her family. She moved to Bandon, Ore., in 2006. She enjoyed working at Ray’s Supermarket in Bandon, handing out samples in the deli department, but mostly she loved talking to all the people that came by. She loved to keep her hands busy with knitting and crocheting. Her favorite pastime was playing canasta, board games and any games she could play with her children and grandchildren.

Pearl leaves behind three children, Donald J. Grisham of Blytheville, Karen Kay Pollin and husband Warner “Max” Pollin of Bandon, Ore., and Julie Grisham Elms of Blytheville, as well as her grandchildren, Michael Grisham and partner Stacey, Brian Grisham and wife Kelly, Randy Grisham and wife Susan, Deen Pollin and wife Crystal, Steven Pollin and wife Mandy, Kevin Pollin and wife Tracye, Stephanie Wilhite Hancock and husband Tyler, Kayla Elms Lyon and husband Josh; and 17 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; one brother, Earl Smith, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Pearl was a loving mother and grandmother and to know her was to love her and her beautiful smile.

A celebration of life will be held at Jesseville Church of God, in Jesseville, at 11 a.m. Jan. 18, with Pearl’s nephew, Larry McNeely, presiding. Burial will follow in the Glazier Peau Cemetery, Hot Springs. Flowers can be sent the day of the memorial to the Jesseville Church of God, Jesseville, or in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Kidney Foundation or Cancer Institute can be made in her honor.