Obituaries
Iris “Sweetnin” Russell Grindle (04-15-2010)
Funeral services for Iris “Sweetnin” Russell Grindle, 67, of Marion, Louisiana were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 8, 2010 in the chapel of Farrar’s Funeral Home in Farmerville, Louisiana with Brother Don Reeves officiating. She passed away April 1, 2010 in Monroe, Louisiana after a brief illness.Iris was born in Monroe, Louisiana on February 11, 1943 to Dave and Lula Russell. She was a lifelong resident of Union Parish. She was a member of Dean Baptist Church. She was employed in secretarial jobs and for Century Telephone before she married and for a while after she married. She left Century Telephone to be able to travel and spend more time with her husband, Doug Grindle, who was a truck driver at that time. She and Doug had several small businesses at their residence, including a worm business D.I.G. (Doug & Iris Grindle) and a pallet business. Doug passed away in 1997. For a period of time, Iris had a shop at her residence that she sold second hand items, new items, hanging plants and fresh eggs. Later, Iris became a Real Estate Broker and worked for a period of time selling real estate in Union Parish. She recently became a homemaker after leaving her employment with Union Council on Aging.
Iris was a lover of animals, especially dogs. She took in many strays, drop-offs and “dumpster” dogs and cats. She also had deer, coons, goats, chickens, a peacock, and various other pets over the years. She leaves behind two of her little dogs that were her special companions.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Lula Russell; her husband, Doug Grindle, and her brothers: Leon and Jack Russell, J.T. Bowen and Gordon Brown.
She is survived by her sister: Mary Elizabeth Favenger and a host of nieces and nephews. She held a special place in the hearts of her nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their appreciation for the prayers in the past weeks during her time of illness. We would like to thank our church family and friends for the flowers, cards, and food provided. We would like to thank the staff of E.A. Conway in Monroe, Louisiana for the care provided to Iris while she was there. We would like to thank the staff of Farrar’s Funeral Home for their help during this time of our loss. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Brother Don Reeves for always being the special pastor and friend that he is to us.
