Ethel K. Grinkley Memorial Scholarship Fund

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Organized by
Ethel's Place Inc.
Fund cover image
$400
Raised of $5,000 goal
0 scholarships funded
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Contributions

4
    BV

    Bobby Vaught

    $100
    EP

    Ethel's Place Inc.

    $100
    JA

    Joey And Todd Andrew Grinkley-Shamy

    $100
    AC

    Allison Carraway

    $100

Our story

Reverend Ethel K. Grinkley of Florence, South Carolina finished her earthly walk and stepped into the sunset of life on February 21, 2023. She was a supporter, advocate and the very embodiment of strength and perseverance. Reverend Grinkley held a Bachelor’s degree in English from Johnson C. Smith University - Charlotte, North Carolina and Master’s degree in Guidance from Francis Marion University – Florence, South Carolina. Bible teaching and preaching, writing poetry, reading and working with families were her passions. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.” Above all that God allowed her to be and to do, Rev. Grinkley was most appreciative that God allowed her to be His child! Reverend Grinkley was licensed to preach in 1999 and ordained in 2005. She served on the Ministerial Staff at Friendship Baptist in Darlington, Associate Pastor at Mustard Seed Baptist Church in Bishopville, Darlington Ministerial Alliance and Board Member of Cultural Realism Center. In June 2016 she retired from a successful 40-year career in public school teaching and administration serving as teacher of English and English as Second Language and Coordinator of Title 1 Curriculum, Parent Involvement, Drug-Free Schools, and Character Education programming in her hometown of Darlington, South Carolina. At the County and State level she sat on many advisory boards for Juvenile Drug Court, Character Council/Character Development Partnership, and South Carolina State Family & Community Engagement Cross-Divisional team. Reverend Grinkley was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and a published poet. In a similar fashion to her education and career, she put her heart and soul into ministry. She worked tirelessly with the Spiritual Life Ministry and Darlington Area Ministerial Association SC, Pee Dee Baptist Association’s Women’s Department, and Intercessory Prayer Committee Kingdom Vision Ministry Women’s Conference. Rev. Grinkley started a Tuesday morning prayer line and in 2019 during COVID she founded “The Place” that continues to meet virtually on Thursday mornings. Reverend Grinkley loved traveling. Her vacation dream was to dip her toes in the Caribbean Ocean and watch the mountains which she was able to do on numerous vacations. While on vacation she could spend hours watching cruise ships dock and set sail. Family, friends and the community would often request her poetry for special occasions, and she never refused. Leaving her home early to pick up youth for church utilizing her own funds and car was a regular for Rev. Grinkley. Family and friends appreciated her wisdom, prayers and support. Rev. Grinkley’s love for people and her community was evidenced by the fruit of the spirit she displayed daily. Unbeknownst to many she had a beautiful operatic voice that she used at home while cleaning, doing daily chores, and when her spirit was full.

Our goal

My Mom's legacy is one of unwavering love, deep commitment to community service, and an enduring passion for teaching and preaching the Bible, crafting poetry, and supporting families. After dedicating 40 years to public school education and administration, coupled with 24 years in Christian ministry, her retirement marked the culmination of a life rich in service and influence. The scholarship seeks to perpetuate Rev. Grinkley's mission of fostering a Christian community characterized by fellowship and unconditional love. By establishing this fundraising fund, we aim to secure financial resources necessary to award up to three deserving high school seniors with a $1000 scholarship each year. These students, whose aspirations align with the values of love, devotion, and community service that Rev. Grinkley espoused, will receive support to pursue higher education and continue their journey towards careers that embody these principles. The creation of this fund is not just about memorializing a beloved figure; it's about laying a foundation for future generations to build upon her vision of a compassionate and inclusive society. Our goal is to ensure that Rev. Grinkley's influence lives on through the actions and achievements of scholarship recipients, thereby multiplying the impact of her legacy. This fund represents a call to action for all who share or have been touched by Rev. Grinkley's values. It's an invitation to contribute to a cause that transcends individual achievement, aiming instead to foster a collective movement towards greater love and service in our communities. By supporting this scholarship, donors not only honor Rev. Grinkley's memory but also invest in the potential of young individuals committed to making a difference in the world, just as she did.

Comments from contributors 1

Allison Carraway8 months ago
$100

Psalm 91

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