Bess Oliver Greer-Grimm

Bessie Bernice Oliver-Greer Grimm, 90, a Johnston City native, passed away at 10:15 A.M., Thursday, June 12, at Cornerstone Hospice, located in The Villages, FL after a brief, unexpected illness.

A Memorial Celebration will be held at Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City at 2:00 P.M., Saturday June 21, 2014, with Pastor Keith Fletcher officiating. Burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City, where she will be laid to rest beside her first husband Ed Greer, the Southern Illinoisan photographer for 25 years. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 P.M., Friday June 20th. A Reception/Reunion will be held at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Johnston City, following graveside services.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to submit donations to Alzheimer's Research in lieu of flowers. Envelopes will be available beside the Guest Registry at Murman & Wilson.

Bess (ie) was born in the family home in Johnston City on Halloween Day, October 31, 1923, to John Everett Oliver and Estella Grace Mathis-Oliver, who later ran Oliver's Bus Stop. Bess married Edwin Lawrence Greer July 3, 1943 on the Birmingham AL USAAF Air Force Base before Ed was sent to Italy during WWII. After Ed passed November 18, 1981, she later married Dr. Noel Grimm, psychologist at Marion VA Hospital, where they both worked. Noel Grimm passed October 23, 2013 at age 94 and is buried near his birthplace in Youngstown, OH.

Bess was a dynamic twentieth century woman, remembered for her bright smile, platinum blond hair and stylish class. She was a war bride who worked out of the home her entire adult life until she retired from the VA in 1987 while amassing a civil service career totaling 38 years. Starting as secretary for the US Army Quarter Master Corps in St. Louis, Bess then became secretary, dental technician, psychological technician and library specialist, all at the VA Hospital in Marion.

Among numerous accomplishments, Bess will be best remembered for her Christianity and gifted voice; she was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Lady Lake, Florida, where she was a soloist and choir member. She was also known for being a charming, energetic and organized hostess for JCTHS Class of 42' reunions every five years, spanning six decades. Above all she will be most well remembered as The Villages Walking Lady. She walked five miles every morning except Sunday right up to the last months before her death. She was the perennial Florida State Champion Race Walker and record holder in the Senior Games, and in 1981 she became the National Champion in the 1500m and 5K events at the National Senior Games, held at Pittsburgh PA University. This remarkable lady personified faith, devotion to family, commitment and elegance. She touched and inspired those who met her far and wide with her determination, commitment and speed right up to the very end.

She is survived by two "adoptive" daughters/best friends: Linda Dumlao of The Villages, FL and Trumbull, CT and Deborah Tighe-Brewer of Cape Girardeau, MO; her two sons, Edwin Blaine Greer and his wife Dulcelina Greer of St. Louis Missouri and Barry Lynn Greer of Tallahassee FL; seven grandchildren: Beth Ann Greer-Alexander of Silverdale WA; Andrea Lynn Greer and her spouse Donovan Shovan of Cape Girardeau MO; Adam Greer and his wife Mallory of Tallahassee FL; Isabelle, Gabriel and Raphael Greer, who reside in St. Louis with their parents Blaine and Dulcelina; six great- grandchildren: Gavin Tiemeyer of Seattle WA, Hanna Sheree Tiemeyer of Seattle WA, Donovan Alexander Shovan of Cape Girardeau MO, Hannah Claire Shovan of Cape Girardeau MO, Adalynn Greer and Grayson Greer, who reside with their parents Adam and Mallory in Tallahassee FL; one sister Betty Lou Oliver-Jarvis and her husband Robert Jarvis; one paternal cousin Curtis Culver and his wife Lorena of Terre Haute IN, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews, who looked up to Bess as their beloved matriarch for twenty-three years after her mother's passing.

Bess was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Frieda Helen Oliver-Travis, Lawanda Oliver; four brothers: Earnest Everett Oliver, John Oliver Jr., Raymond Oliver and Bobby Oliver; stepfather Clarence Douglass; five aunts: Ora Oliver-Throgmorten, Della Oliver, Inez Oliver- Todd, Reba Oliver, Sally Mathis- Little; two uncles: Charles Mathis and Sylvester Mathis Jr.; father-in-law Lawrence Blaine Greer, mother-in-law Ruby Alora Stubblefield-Greer; three sisters-in-law: Olivena Greer-Miner, Reatha Bandy-Oliver and Wanda Oliver-Kee; one brother-in-law Clarence Travis; one grandchild: Dru Katherine Greer; one niece: Barbara Nell Travis-Odle; two nephews: Clarence Ladell Travis and Brent Jarvis.

Friends or relatives unable to attend the memorial services are encouraged to offer their tributes and/or donations to Alzheimer's research online at: www.murmanandwilson.com.