Mary Elizabeth Grinstead

January 24, 1920 - February 17, 2021

At the amazing age of 101 years old, Mary Elizabeth Grinstead left in the arms of our Lord and Savior on February 17, 2021, in Victorville. Born January 24, 1920, on a bitter, icy, stormy day in Chelsea, Oklahoma to James and Lola Trude as their youngest of 2 children. She grew up in Chelsea, where she graduated from Chelsea High School. Her favorite in town was her Grandparent's General Store. During the Great Depression, so many memories were made and lessons learned at the store, she helped her Grandparents from a young age, up until a young adult. In 1944 she joined the United States Coast Guard and served her country for over two years. Her military career took her from Palm Beach, Florida to the Coast Guard's Headquarters' in Norfolk, Virginia. After being discharged, at the end of World War II, she enrolled and graduated with a two year accounting degree at Capital City Commercial College, in Des Moines, Iowa. Here is when she met the Love of her life, Arlyn Grinstead, they married in 1948. As newlyweds they enjoyed jobs and homes in Tulsa, Ok and Portland, OR before transferring to Norwalk, CA, then La Mirada. Once in California they soon became parents to their two handsome sons, Jim and George. In 1978, her and Arlyn decided to build their dream house in " God's Country" Hesperia, CA. Elizabeth loved the desert and soon found herself occupied with another accounting job and many Church and Club activities. Elizabeth was a member of Crosswinds/Oasis Church in Hesperia, serving as an Elder and a Care group leader. She continued her weekly care group meetings in her home up until a month before her death. Her enthusiasm about being a descendant of Simon Bradstreet, former Governor of Massachusetts and wife Ann Dudley, led to her interest for historical societies. She was a member of Jedediah Smith Daughters of the American Revolution, serving many offices and committee chairmanships at both the local and district level, including chapter Regent. As a founding adult member of the High Desert Car, she would help children realize their passion for history. During her time as a member of the Lucretia Oldham Brewster Colonial Dames XXVII Century, she served as California State President, as well as holding various local & district office and Chairmanships. The last two years she was a member of the Roger Williams Chapter. In 1992, she was recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" for HOW house, where she served on the advisory council. In the 1990's and 2000's one would find her writing historical skits, about Anne Hutchinson, Rachel Jackson, & Debra Sampson, and then making them come to life, alongside her friends, at local schools. Elizabeth never missed an opportunity to Spread the Good News of the Gospel or to promote Patriotism and history. She also joined her husband in joining the American Legion, Hesperia Lyons Club and the Norwegian Club, also a member of the Woman of Hesperia Elks. Her family and friends will miss her great meals she prepared and the many Prayers she prayed. She was always willing to pray for anyone in need and for those she felt was in need, a true Prayer Warrior. We were always comforted in knowing a prayer was said daily for God's guidance in our lives. Writing truly was a passion of hers. Along with the many skits, she loved to write about family stories and even helping her grand-children with their school reports. Elizabeth had a flair for inserting adjectives and adverbs, which would bring you right into the day, feeling as if you knew the person, as well as being right there at the time. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years Arlyn, parents James & Lula and sister Cleo. She is survived by sons and daughter-in-law, James & Susie Graham Grinstead and George & Norma, Grandsons James & Zacchaeus Grinstead, and Great Grandson Charles Grinstead. Services will be Private at Victor Valley Mortuary, Due to Limitations. Graveside will follow at Riverside National Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to a church of your choice.