Funeral services for Howard Bickham Grubbs, 90, of Hollandale will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Hollandale Baptist Church. He died Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Heritage House of Vicksburg following a lengthy illness. Burial with Military Rites will be in the Hollandale City Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home.
Mr. Grubbs was born October 29, 1928, in Tylertown, Mississippi. He was the son of Samson Edwards Grubbs and Nercillia Payne Grubbs. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Ivra Lenore Grubbs Harvey; his brothers, Roy Talmadge Grubbs, Dwight Laymon Grubbs and Paul Henry Grubbs; his daughter-in-law Teri Hansen Grubbs.
Mr. Grubbs graduated from Tylertown High School and the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, serving as president. While working at his first pharmacy job in Summit, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Ann Frazier, while visiting his brother in nearby McComb. They were married on June 20, 1954.
From 1954 to 1963, Mr. Grubbs worked as a pharmacist in Natchez. In 1963 he moved his family of six to Hollandale and joined Hollandale Baptist church where he served as a deacon. He owned and operated City Drug Store in Hollandale from 1963 until his retirement in 1983.
Howard and Dot loved to travel. They visited all continents except Antarctica and Africa and all fifty states. They were avid dancers and enjoyed doing so every chance there was music including at the Yacht Club in Greenville, where they served as King and Queen of Mardi Gras.
As a proud resident of Hollandale, Mr. Grubbs served his community as President of The Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Merchants Committee and President of the Rotary Club where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Howard was also the Grand Marshall of the Hollandale Christmas Parade. In 2007 he was honored as one of the senior citizens of Hollandale that had greatly benefited the town.
He proudly served his country by joining the United States Air Force in 1947 and in 1950 he went into reserve service until 1976, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Grubbs served three years as a liaison officer between The U.S. Air Force Academy and area high schools.
Howard loved his grandchildren very much and was there for their births. He and Dot attended numerous dance recitals, birthday parties, soccer games, graduations and the like. They were even able to be there for the birth of their first great grandchild. Mr. Grubbs was a very sweet and kind man.
Mr. Grubbs in survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Dorothy “Dot” Grubbs. Three sons, Kim Howard Grubbs of Lauderdale, MS, Hal Frazier Grubbs and wife Lisa of Alexandria, LA and Larry Neil Grubbs of Stanton, TN; one daughter Delise Grubbs Menotti and husband Scott of Vicksburg, MS; a granddaughter Jessica Grubbs Holmes and husband Scotty of Alexandria, LA; a grandson Jason Patrick Grubbs and wife Kelly of Atlanta, GA; a great grandson and great granddaughter Easton Scott Holmes and Madison Grace Holmes both of Alexandria, LA.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jason Grubbs, Scotty Holmes, Roy Schilling, Buck Clarke, Joe Langley and Bland Peyton.
Honorary pallbearers are Paul Holland, Mark Lingle, Dr. John Estess, Katherine Null, Patricia Jones Coward, Jimmy Hollingsworth, Scooter Henderson, Billy Ray Harris, David Furr and Howard Christian.
The family would like to thank the following care givers: Dr. John Estess, Dr. Paul W. Bill Pierce III, Dr. Daniel Edney, River Regional Hospital, Promise Hospital, Heritage House of Vicksburg, Pax Hospice, Beth Neff, Mona Denekas and Barbara Sanders.
There will be a visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.