Services set for Grissett
Published 6:08 pm Thursday, September 22, 2011
Funeral arrangements have been set for beloved Atmore educator Mary Joyner Grissett, who died Wednesday evening.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Fri., Sept. 23, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Sat., Sept. 24, at First United Methodist Church, with interment at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Grissett was a retired English teacher who taught for years at both Escambia County High School and Escambia Academy. Her father, the late Buster Joyner, founded the Atmore mainstay Buster’s restaurant.
EA headmaster Betty Warren worked with Grissett at ECHS and formed a close relationship with the beloved teacher.
“This community lost a very wonderful person tonight,” Warren said. “Mary and I worked together for a number of years. I never heard Mary say an unkind word about anyone, and I never heard anyone say an unkind word about her. She never taught a student who didn’t love her.”
Kim McKay, one of Grissett’s former students, now teaches English herself.
“Mary Grissett, my tenth grade English teacher and one of the reasons I am an English teacher today,” McKay said. “She’s sent me letters of encouragement that have meant so much to me over the years. What a lovely lady!”
Escambia County Schools special education coordinator Suzanne Barnett said Atmore has lost a “shining star.”
“Not only was Mary Grissett a wonderful teacher to many in Atmore, she was a mentor, an encourager, a role model and a friend,” Barnett said. “She continued to share in the achievements of her former students years after their graduation. Mrs. Grissett was involved in a number of church and community activities that touched many people. She will truly be missed by many in our community.”
Grissett is survived by her husband, William; a daughter, Amy; and a son, Scott.