Mr. Roy F. McGrinson

Mr. Roy F. McGrinson died October 1, in Kalamazoo, Mich. He was born on December 27, 1915 in Chorrillo, Panama, Republic of Panama, and was the only child of Maurice Anna (Atherton) and Samuel Thomas McGrinson. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Christine McGrinson, and two grandchildren, Christopher Austin and Gabriel Minott. Sen~or Roy, (as called by his friends) attended the National Institute of Panama High School and continued his studies at the University of Panama where he earned a degree in Pharmacy. He worked on the Canal Zone until graduation when he secured employment as a pharmacist. He worked at various local drugstores including La Merced, El Baturro and Farmacias Arrocha. He owned Farmacia La Immaculada on Calle 22. He later became assistant pharmacist at the Seguro Social Hospital. Sen~or Roy was dedicated to the work of the Lord and participated in many organizations at the Panama Wesley Church. He served as the Sunday School Superintendent for over ten years and was involved in assisting several ministers as they made their rotation through the Panama Circuit. His love for books dominated his life to the extent that he encouraged family and friends to read the classics, the Bible, biographies and travel. This experience generated much enthusiasm which led to the creation of the Pacific Literary Club that enabled him to serve as president for seven years. This outstanding group sponsored debate teams, Bible-facts symposiums and elocutionary contests. It is there he met Christine Weeks-Waison who he married on December 27, 1941. He later transferred his membership along with his family, to the Rio Abajo Methodist Church, where he became President of the Men's Fellowship, a local preacher and an active member of the Fellowship of the Concerned. He was editor for the Panama Tribune where he wrote articles on the issues of the day concerning people of color. He was a frequent speaker on the weekly radio broadcast for the Methodist Hour. He was nominated and awarded Father of the Year twice; first by the Rio Abajo Church, and subsequently, by the Altamira Club. Roy migrated to the United States (Abilene, Texas) in 1992 with his wife Christine, before moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, visited Christian Life Center, participated in many activities at the Ecumenical Senior Center, and took computer classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He is survived by his children: Christina McGrinson of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Cassandra McGrinson of Panama, Emerson and (Dorotea) McGrinson of Panama, Felicia and Noel Joseph of Texas, three nieces he raised, Dora Belisle of Coral Spring, Florida, Marcia Anderson of Chester, Virginia, Anna Maria and Emile "Ben" Minott of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Other relatives and their families include: Marco and Zenitra McGrinson of North Carolina, Michele and Dionelle Davis of Texas, Manuel McGrinson of North Carolina, Maxine (Arturo) Gilling of Michigan, Luis (Earnee) Gilling of Michigan, Ralph (Madlin) Eversley of New York, Clarence (Janie) Eversley of South Carolina, Thelma Eversley of Panama, Rep. of Panama, Carlos (Glacier) Eversley of Panama, Melissa (Lloyd) Burrell of Panama, Dr. Marion Smith-Waison (Dr. Ron Berk) of Maryland, Philipa Smith-Waison of Florida, Paul (Paula) Smith-Waison of California, Ronald (Myra) Eversley of North Carolina, Carlos (Aleta) Eversley of Texas, Tabatha and Carole Eversley of North Carolina, Russell (Sara) Moore of New Jersey, Vilma Eversley of Florida, Yaouzah Knight of Virginia, and Kathleen (Michael) Jackson of Michigan.

Mr. Roy F. McGrinson

December 27, 1915 - October 1, 2010