Robert Grymes Obituary

Dr. Robert J. Grymes, Jr., 87, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Norfolk, Virginia. Bob was born June 11, 1938 in Hopewell, Virginia, and grew up in Richmond. He was the son of Robert J. and Julia Elizabeth Grymes, both deceased. He was also predeceased by the first love of his life and wife of forty-seven and a half years, Elva Jane Wynne Grymes. There has been no better wife and mother. She is greatly missed. Time does not heal all wounds.

His two brothers, William Earl Grymes and Roy Edward Grymes, passed away in 2000 and in 2016, respectively; and his sister, Elizabeth Ann Closson, passed away in 2019.

He is survived by their sons, Christopher Wynne Grymes and wife, Rachel Shapiro, of New York City; and Dr. James Albert Grymes, and wife, Elizabeth, of Matthews, NC; and his sister, Patricia Louise Slade of Norfolk. He is also survived by four fantastic grandchildren, Helen Jane Grymes, Saul Shapiro Grymes, William Auld Grymes, and Leonard Wynne Grymes.

Being father of Chris and Jay was a true joy. They were great sons of whom Bob was justly proud. He counted his involvement in their activities among his life's highest priorities. He succeeded in missing very few of their musical performances and presentations, sports contests, or other important milestones.

A significant regret was not being able to do the same with his grandchildren.

Bob is also survived by the second love of his life, his wife, Carolyn Powell Grymes, who brought joy and happiness back into his life and gave him reason to live again. She has been a blessing to him and has been a true gift from God. She's a true sweetheart who always took great care of him and his needs. A special blessing in his latter years.

A man is greatly blessed if he has the love of a good, Godly woman. Bob was doubly blessed with the love of Elva Jane and Carolyn.

Also surviving are step-daughters Kelly Tiffany, husband Matt and children, Lauren and Jake; Becky Holland; and Karen Toczek and husband Greg, and Roxy. They graciously and lovingly fully accepted and welcomed Bob into their family. Another of God's great blessings.

Bob was active Christian who committed his life to serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was an Ordained Minister and past director of the Seniors Ministry of Suburban Christian Church, Virginia Beach. He taught the Bellamy Fellowship Class for 30 years and then the church's Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study. For many years he taught the Wednesday Morning Lamar Sentell Prayer Breakfast at Calvary Temple Church, Norfolk. He taught the Friendship Adult Bible Study at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church on the second Sunday of each month. For three years he also served as a member of missionary teams to Romania.

Bob was educated in Richmond and in Henrico County Public Schools. He graduated from Douglas S. Freeman High School in 1957, where he lettered in Football and Wrestling. He earned a B. S. degree from Old Dominion University and M.Ed. and Ed. D. degrees from the University of Virginia.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy (1958-1962), serving as an Electronics Technician on the U.S.S. Saint Paul (CA 73) and U.S.S. Providence (CLG 6).

He was a retired educator and served as Chief Academic Officer (Dean of Instruction and Student Services, now Vice President) at Tidewater Community College. During his career, he was also Director of Continuing Education and Assistant Provost of the Parham Road Campus, and the founding dean of the Western Campus of J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College; as well as Chief Academic Officer at Paul D. Camp Community College.

He began his career with Chesapeake Public Schools as a history teacher (Deep Creek Junior High) and assistant principal (Deep Creek Junior High and Oscar F. Smith High). He served on numerous Virginia Community College System taskforces and committees and served a term as chair of the State Council of Higher Education's Instructional Programs Advisory Committee.

For over forty years he was actively involved in academic accreditation. During his career he served as a member and chair of accreditation committees/teams with the Southern Association of Colleges and School's Commission on Colleges and the U.S. Air Force's Quality Education System (QES) program. He also served as an accreditation team member with the American Council of Education's Military Installation Voluntary Education Review (MIVER) Program.

After years of Chairing accreditation teams for the Commission on Accreditation of the American Board of Funeral Service Education, he concluded his career with serving on the Commission on Accreditation, itself.

An avid sports fan, Bob was a member of the Norfolk and the Chesapeake Sports Clubs and the Tidewatchers Booster Club.

His past activities in civic affairs included service as a past president of the Great Bridge Jaycees, a past Virginia Jaycees state vice president, member of the Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Deep Creek Ruritan Club, past president of the Goochland County Ruritan Club, and past Executive Director of the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce.

Bob was a past recipient of the Great Bridge Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator of the Year Award and the Central Chesapeake Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award. In 1971, he was named a Life Member of the Virginia Jaycees.

He lived a full, mostly enjoyable life and enjoyed traveling throughout the U. S. and the world, especially to Alaska and Israel. He was blessed with two of the finest sons a man can have. They have made him so proud.

A service will take place at 12:00 pm on Friday August 22, 2025 at Suburban Christian Church, officiated by Rev. C. Todd Haynes. A private interment will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Southeastern Virginia Food Bank by CLICKING HERE or to the Union Mission Ministries by CLICKING HERE. Condolences may be left for Bob's family below.