Eleanor Marie Grasham

Eleanor Marie Spainhower Grasham, 83 of Abilene, passed away at Hendrick Medical Center on Wednesday, November 4, 2015. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Minter Lane Church of Christ. A visitation with the family will be on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Eleanor was born on November 30, 1931 in Dos Palos, California to Thomas and Marie Spainhower. On May 4, 1952, she married the love of her life, William Wesley Grasham in Antioch, California. Both educators, they loved to challenge the minds of children and young adults. They spent most of their years together in Dallas and attended the Preston Road Church of Christ. Abilene was like a home away from home. They have lived in Abilene five different times for a total of 18 years. Eleanor was a member of the Texas State Teacher’s Association and the couple attended the Minter Lane Church of Christ.

Due to Eleanor's great compassion for children with learning disabilities she was led to pursue a Masters degree in Education, with an emphasis in Special Education. For over 25 years, Eleanor used her talents and passion as well as her educational training to serve children in Abilene Texas, Kaiserslautern Germany, Aberdeen Scotland and Dallas Texas.

Eleanor and Bill lived in both the United States and Europe and she greatly enjoyed traveling with her husband. Some highlights were their travels to Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy, Turkey, Egypt and three trips to the Holy Land, one of which included participating in archaeological digs and camping out in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.

Preceding Eleanor in death were her parents, Thomas and Marie Spainhower and a granddaughter, Rachel Blasingame. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Grasham of Abilene; her sons William Grasham (Toni) of Houston and John Grasham (Judy) of Garland; daughters Julie Blasingame (Guy) of Mesquite and Terri Peterson (Dempsey) of Abilene; and her brothers, Bob Spainhower of Tallahassee, Florida and Thomas Spainhower of Antioch, California as well as 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many other extended family members and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to Ghana West African Missions, P.O. Box 40, Searcy AR 72145; IHCF African Christian Hospitals, 102 N. Locust Street, Searcy, AR 72143; or Faith Works of Abilene, 1229 N. Mockingbird, Abilene, Texas 79603.

Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.