Katherine Grumbles

Katherine Virginia Eley Grumbles, passed away, Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Roman Eagle Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Katherine was born in Victoria, Virginia on June 11, 1924, a daughter of the late George Fenton Eley and Mary Bradshaw Eley. She graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1942 and Mars Hill College in 1944 with an Associate Degree in Vocal Music. She spent many years as an active member of choral music groups including Robert Shaw's summer music programs and Westminster Choir College. She organized the Danville Boys Choir for the Danville Museum which she directed for several years. She also directed church choirs in Richmond and Lexington, Virginia before moving to Danville. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Danville and served on several committees in the church. She was active in the Dorothea Henry Chapter of DAR where she was a past Regent. She was also active in the Colonial Dames, 17th Century, where she served as a state and a national officer. She organized two different Southside Virginia chapters; one of which is the John Goode Chapter at Boydton, VA, where her membership remained. As State Chairman of the Colonial Dames, one project she led was to place a bronze tablet memorializing Lady Astor of Virginia as the first woman member of the English Parliament. She is survived by her husband, Hunter A. Grumbles; two daughters, Dayle G. Welch and husband Jimmy Welch, of Raleigh, NC and Kathy G. Winstead of Fuquay-Varina, NC; three grandchildren, Kevin Welch, Meredith Fensler and Virginia Winstead; seven great-grandchildren; her brother, T. Leroy Eley; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Roman Eagle for their excellent care and kindness during Katherine's stay there. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Reverend John Carroll officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church. Interment will be private. The family suggests that memorials may be made to First Baptist Church. Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street, is serving the Grumbles family.