Elizabeth Ann Parks Grinton

Year Inducted: 2019

The late Elizabeth Ann Parks Grinton was born in Wilkes County in 1916. She graduated from Lincoln Heights School in 1935, when she also married Brack S. Grinton. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in education from Winston Salem Teachers College in 1947 and furthered her education with a master’s from New York University. She did additional study at Wake Forest University, A & T State University, and Appalachian State University.

Upon graduating, Grinton began her teaching career at her former school, Lincoln Heights in 1947. When the school closed in 1968 due to integration of the Wilkes County Schools, she was assigned to Wilkesboro Elementary School where she taught sixth grade. Despite retiring in 1977 after teaching for 31 years, Grinton continued to be heavily involved in her community. She was instrumental in organizing the Lincoln Heights Recreation Corporation where she served as executive director until her death in 2001. She played a part in developing a daycare for developmentally challenged youth, U-Can Charter School in 1996. Grinton formed the Lincoln Heights School Homecoming Reunion, volunteered in numerous programs at her church, New Damascus Missionary Baptist, and worked on establishing Lincoln Heights as a community center for Wilkes County. Lincoln Heights School is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places in part of her efforts.

Grinton’s noted involvement in education and the community brought her many awards and recognition. In 1979, she was awarded the Wilkes County Citizens Award and in 1995 she was awarded with the Presidential Service Award for Exemplary Volunteer Service from President Clinton. In 1997 she was awarded the Dougherty Medal of Honor. Grinton dedicated much of her life to helping her community. She served on many boards of organizations such as the Broadway Water Association, Respite Care of Wilkes, Lincoln Heights Recreation Corportation, Vocational Resource, Cairo Social Club, Learning Resources Advisory Committee, Habitat for Humanity, Legal Services of North Carolina, Client Council of North Carolina, Community Development, Raleigh, Elizabeth Grinton Charter School, Lincoln Heights Parent Teacher Association, National Education Association, and North Carolina Education Association. Grinton published a book called Treasure Troves, which documented the life and family history of Judith Barber.