Johnnie Deaton "Tooter" Grissom

Rock Island, TN resident and Van Buren County, TN native Johnnie Deaton "Tooter" Grissom, age 101, was born July 24, 1923 and died October 12, 2024 at NHC Healthcare McMinnville following an extended illness. 

Mrs. Grissom was a Christian and a member of the Church of Christ.  She was baptized on August 30, 1949 by W.C. Reeder.  A homemaker and substitute teacher with Warren County School System, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Nora McBride Deaton.  She was married October 21, 1944 to Floyd Mason Grissom who preceded her in death November 16, 2006.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Terry Grissom; brothers, Herbert, Pete, Clarence, H.G. and Elmer Deaton and sisters, Velma Elrod, Viva Moore, Amolene Dobbins, Maxine Roberts and Claudine Dawson.

Mrs. Grissom is survived by a daughter, Sherry (Ted) Grandey of McMinnville; two grandsons, Teddy (Michelle) Grandey of McMinnville and Phillip (Trista) Grandey of Fernandina Beach, FL; granddaughter, Holly (Ward) Bushart of Nashville, TN; great-grandchildren, Nick (Rebecca) Grandey, Nate Grandey and Ava Grace Grandey; sister, Sue Palombo of McMinnville; brother, Doug Deaton of McMinnville and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at Friendship Cemetery with Bill Walkup officiating.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Tuesday at High's.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rock Island Church of Christ or Campaign Church of Christ.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements