In Memory of Andy Grisham

Andrew "Andy" Lee Grisham

May 26, 1956 - August 24, 2023

Andrew “Andy” Lee Grisham passed away on August 24th, 2023 in Pulaski, TN. He was born May 26, 1956, and was 67 years old.

Andy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He never met a stranger and will be remembered for his hearty laugh, love of grilling and cooking for his family, and the ability to fix almost anything which explains the nickname “Handy Andy”. He spent many an evening watching the sun sets, wildlife and catching catfish on the Elk River while enjoying the peace and calm it brought. He loved being Big Poppa to his growing group of grandchildren.

After 44 years with Magotteaux Pulaski, Andy retired in 2019 and looked forward to enjoying time spent relaxing at the cabin getaway he and Denise built.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday August 29, 2023 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 1:30pm Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Giles Memory Gardens in Pulaski, Tennessee.

Andy was preceded in death by, his parents, Mose Hollis Grisham and Naydene Haraway Grisham; mother of his children Emily Ruth Grisham; brother Hollis Wayne Grisham; sister Linda Nadine Grisham, and brother-in-law Wendell Harris.

He is survived by, his wife Denise Grisham, son Blake (April) Grisham, daughter Blair (Kevin) Burlison, stepsons Dale (Amanda) Inman and Andrew Inman; sister Bettye Jo Grisham; sisters-in-law Deborah (Steve) Bledsoe, Amy Harris, Dawn (Don) Ward, and brother-in-law Paul (Tammy) Gaudette; grandchildren Emilee Rae Grisham, Aiden Vaughn, Hadley Vaughn, Aydan Burlison, Allisan Burlison, Cooper Inman and in October, Collin Inman. Special Friends Kenneth Swinney, Barry Lee McGee, Tim Drake, several nieces and nephews also survive.

Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements for Andrew “Andy” Lee Grisham.

I wanted to share the words I asked Pastor Eddie to read at the service on my behalf. So many of you knew how wonderful Andy was from reading my posts. My life is again changed forever. I knew this day would come at some point, but not this soon. We packed more in twenty-two years than most do in a lifetime. We are all heartbroken. Hug your loved ones a little tighter and take the time to be with them as often as possible. You just never know. And tell your loved ones to quit fussing about taking pictures. Their family will need them when you are gone.

 

December 19, 2002, changed two family’s lives forever. That was the day Denise met the true love of her life, and the spark of a beautiful relationship was lit. Over the next twenty-plus years, Andy and Denise would build a rock-solid foundation, which included Blake, Blair, Dale and Andrew, and over the years, this would bloom into a family of fifteen with one more to arrive in October. 

There is not enough time to share all the things we loved about Andy Grisham. 

Anything Andy did, he did with all his heart. Never wanting to be the center of attention, he was happy to take a back seat and let everyone else shine. The family shined because at the center, they had his strength to lean on during difficult times, his shoulder to cry on when life brought them down, his ear to listen as we dealt with frustrations, his pride in all of our accomplishments, but most of all, his love, which kept them safe and secure. 

He never wanted anything in return and always told everyone to “do for yourself” because he had “everything he needed in life.” He defined a rich man as one who had a family full of love shared between each other. He had no need for the shiny things in life. He knew you couldn’t take any of it with you. 

He kept everything simple whether it was his old Ford truck or the clothes on his back…and he would give you those if you needed them. He felt no need to impress anyone. As long as his family had everything they needed, he was a happy man. 

Andy invested 44 years with Magotteaux. It was hot, hard work, not for the faint of heart, but it was worth it because it meant he could he could provide and keep a roof over his family’s head. His family never heard him complain about his job outside of work, even when there were few breaks. He just wanted to enjoy an ice-cold beverage and cool off when he got home, cook a little dinner and get in that bed by 8:30 so he could start over again. 

For a man who didn’t consider himself stellar, he had a galaxy of qualities any man would love to possess. To his family he was “Handy Andy.” He could repair, build or create anything he needed. He said when he was a kid, he built a contraption to attach to his bike so he could haul his fishing poles. When he wanted a Cajun microwave, he built one, manufactured the metal and improved it so it would serve double duty as a grill while the chicken was cooking. When he wanted to build a dock at the river, it never entered his mind to hire that out. He just manufactured or bought the tools to do it himself. A man pounding metal posts into 14 feet of river bed was a sight to see. 

He was a wine maker, even though he didn’t drink it. Blackberry, muscadine, cherry, apple and grape wines were enjoyed by family and friends alike. 

Until he moved to town and provided the local deer with a bountiful feast, he had the prettiest gardens. He and Denise would can his harvest until the deer made the local farmers market a better option. 

He was a saver…not a hoarder. You never knew when you might need something but you could rest assured, he had at least three of everything. 

He was always prepared for the potential of hard times. That hunter-gatherer gene assured nobody in his family was going to go hungry. He could barbecue, fry, grill, bake and sauté just about anything and friends and family alike loved his cooking. 

He loved to fish for catfish on the Elk and salmon in the Gastineau Channel in Alaska. When he reeled in a 32 lb. halibut near Auke Bay, they knew good eats were ahead! 

He could be an adventurous rambler, which was a good quality to have when married to a rambling wife who liked to drive and plan road trips. Whether it was Tennessee, Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida or more, he could be certain that Denise had an itinerary, and they stopped and explored, ate and enjoyed some of the most unique places around.

He was the most loving husband Denise could ask for. After he retired, he made sure breakfast and lunch were ready for when she went to work and had dinner cooked when she got home. He promised her he would take care of everything, and he exceeded that promise. He never started or ended a day without expressing his love for her. They worked side by side for twenty years to prepare a place to enjoy in retirement on the Elk River. When Denise’s mother was widowed, and later ill with Alzheimer’s, Andy made every moment spent with her special and spoiled Meme just as much as he did his wife. 

He loved his children with a never-ending devotion. He wanted them to be happy. They all had special qualities too. He knew he could depend on Blair to take care of just about anything he asked. They had a very special father-daughter relationship – one she will certainly cherish throughout her life. He and Blake would talk sports, especially Volunteer football and racing, cards, horses and just about anything. He also knew he could depend on Dale and Andrew to wire a building or get the boat running when his age started getting the best of him.

 And let’s just talk about that laugh. His sense of humor was contagious. He would throw his head back, and no one could miss it when he started. It was loud, distinctive and you couldn’t help but join in. 

Whether you were a friend, co-worker or passed him as he took his walks up Mountain View Road, always know Andy had the kindest place in his heart and truly enjoyed the time spent with you. 

August 24, 2023, the light went out of the family’s North Star. 

Andy made the most of his dash. 1956-2023. Because he showered his family with so much love, 67 years will never be enough. They have memories and lots of them. They will depend on them to help them learn to live without him. They feel a tremendous loss and must get realigned to move forward without Andy. Andy’s efforts in building a strong core will help Denise, Blake, Blair, Dale, Andrew and the rest of the family get through this loss and we ask you to pray for them. 

Thank you for being a part of Andy Grisham’s life.