Wanda Grissom

Wanda Thomas Grissom, age 79, passed away in Goodlettsville, TN, on April 24th, 2023. Born near Ripley, TN, May 27th, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Charlie D. and Rada Thomas. Wanda was also preceded in death by brother Dean (Ann) Thomas.

Wife. Mother. Grandmother (Gigi), Professor, Aunt. Niece, Friend. Neighbor. Loving. Brilliant. Selfless. Organized. Curious. Generous. Creative. Disciplined. Funny and Fun loving. These are only a few of the many important roles and genuine characteristics of Wanda Grissom. Her humble beginnings and formative years were spent in Bath Springs, Tennessee, where she was the daughter to single mother, Rada, after the passing of her father, Charlie, when Wanda was only 2-year- old.   She loved school and learning, and like many other children in the area, worked the gardens and cotton fields in the summers and fall. A graduate of Decaturville High School,  Wanda was promoted ahead and skipped a grade to graduate in 1960 at the age of 16. Immediately following, she moved to Nashville to work at Methodist Publishing House. Later in 1960, she met the love of her life, Jim, and they married October 21, 1962.  Children soon followed with the birth of Kim in 1963 and James in 1965.

When her children were ages 8- and 6-years-old, Wanda, age 28,  decided to enroll in Belmont University to become a teacher. She was the first in her family to attend college and achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975, earning the status Magna Cum Laude. Upon graduation, Wanda became as associate professor at Nashville State Community College where she taught Office Administration for 30 years. Wanda loved her role as a professor and many students benefited greatly from her passion for helping others successfully achieve their personal goals. Teaching was not her job, it was her hobby. Other hobbies for Wanda included raising a family, reading, photography,  crafting, traveling, sewing, and cooking.

Her life with husband and soul mate, Jim, her kids and ultimately her grandchildren, Lindsay, Taylor, Bailey and Matthew, were the center of her world. She loved supporting all their dreams with unconditional love. However, the greatest story of all is the love story of Wanda and Jim. They built a beautiful and successful life together over 62 years from the beginning of their lives until Wanda’s passing.   Jim cared for her every need as her illness progressed.  Theirs is a love story for the ages.

Wanda Grissom is survived by husband, Jim Grissom, daughter, Kim (Tony) Miller, and son, James Grissom,  grandchildren, Lindsay Miller, Matthew Miller, Taylor Grissom and Bailey Grissom.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, May 1st, 2023, 1pm at Cole & Garrett Funeral Home Chapel located in Goodlettsville, Tn. A visitation will be held prior to the Celebration of Life from 11am to 1pm also at Cole & Garrett Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery immediately following. Service will be officiated by Allen Johnson.

Serving as pall bearers are Bailey Grissom, Matt Miller, Tony Miller, Eli McCormick, Brad Sensing, Terry Mapes, Trevor Coulter, and Robbie Norman.