Ava Nell Grimsley born January 31, 1945, passed away July 23, 2017 at the age of 72.

Ava was born in Tyler, Texas to Gainford Abraham McKinney and Ettie Marie Herron-McKinney. At the age of 5 Ava moved with her mother Ettie Wallace, and father Harmon Herold Wallace, to Dallas, TX where she lived the rest of her life. Ava graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1963. Growing up she attended Lakeside Baptist Church with her family. On May 27, 1979 Ava married the love of her life, Lee Roy Grimsley. Lee and Ava attended and faithfully served at Calvary Hill Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas for the better part of their marriage. Ava and Lee loved cars, her favorite being her 1967 Mustang. She is also known for her love of children, as evidenced by the spoiling of her nieces and nephews.

Ava was dearly loved by her family and friends. She is preceded in death by her biological father Gainford Abraham McKinney, her father Harmon Herold Wallace, mother Ettie Marie Wallace, and her husband Lee Roy Grimsley, as well as her sister Shirley Wallace. She is survived by her brother Ray Wallace and wife Laurie, sister Brenda Palmore, brother Jim Wallace and wife Susan, sister Becky Smith and husband Mike, and sister Terry Ballew. Ava is also survived by nieces and nephew: Genevera, Glen, Melanie, Sarah, Jennifer, and Ali; great nieces and nephews Chad, Keith, Brittany, Taylor, Chance, Emma, and Alexander, and great great nieces Kinsley and Paisley. Ava also has a large extended family of cousins throughout East Texas.