PINE GROVE | Grady Ray "Bigdaddy" Elmore, age 80, of Pine Grove, entered his heavenly home on January 30, 2016. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday, February 1, 2016, in Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Gene Dawkins officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. The family will receive friends immediately following service at the church.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; infant son, Keith Elmore; daughter-in-law, Debbie Elmore; in-laws, Henry and Mildred Copeland; brothers, William Henry Elmore (Francise) and Gerald Elmore (Joanne).
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Juanita Copeland Elmore of Pine Gove, Ala.; sons, Steve Elmore (Jonette) of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mike Elmore (Scarlette) of Pine Grove, Ala. and Mark Elmore (Barbara) of Pine Grove, Ala.; grandchildren, Matthew Elmore (Trina) of Huntsville, Ala., Albert and Brooke Owens of Gordo, Ala., Chase and Kate Elmore of Petal, Miss., Melissa Elmore of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Jody Mason of Hagerstown, M.D.; great-grandchildren, Lena Elmore of Huntsville, Ala. and Cooper Elmore of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Grady Ray was born on March 13, 1935 in the Zion community of Alabama to the late Claudie Elmore and Dessie Porter Elmore. He was a member, deacon and Sunday School teacher at Pine Grove Baptist Church. He was a retired employee of the Pickens County EMA and the Pickens County Road Department.
There is no doubt this larger than life character had a long, joyful, fulfilling life. And if you've ever heard this man pray or teach a Sunday School lesson, you know he's worshipping in glory today.
After first seeing his future wife sitting on a pile of shingles at the age of 15, he spent 60 happy and hilarious years married to Nita and raising 3 sons he loved dearly. You would have thought no more love could have fit in his heart if you saw him with his 5 grandchildren…. But then came his great grandchildren.
He spent his last days doing what he loved most, hunting (aka sitting on the porch at the Playhouse) with friends that have become family over the years. The huge void of "Bigdaddy" will never be filled in anyone's hearts, but we take comfort in his peace in Heaven and our soon to come reunion with him.
Pallbearers are Donnie Bowles, Josh Bowles, Cody Bowles, Chase Elmore, Jody Mason, Albert Owens, Josh Jackson and Heath Forrester.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Sauceman, Ray Shaw, Mike Cooper, Ken Gibson, Roger Harcrow, Floyd Joyner, and all past and present members of The Playhouse Hunting Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Pine Grove Baptist Church, 75 Strawberry Lane, Ethelsville, Ala. 35461.