Rev. Ted Griner

Reverend Ted P. Griner, 86, of Cartersville, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at his residence. Born in Savannah, Georgia on December 6, 1929, he was the son of the late Benjamin Griner and Ruth Smith Griner.

At the young age of 16, Ted Perry Griner, affectionately known as "Brother Ted," was called by God to be a servant in His Church. From that moment on, Ted dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel in the United Methodist Church. During the next 41 years, Ted would provide leadership and care to many churches in South GA and serve as a District Superintendent in Valdosta GA.

Even in retirement from the United Methodist Church, Ted continued to serve God as a Bishop in the New Missionary Church International, (TMI). Ted's sphere of influence was expanded to the international community, with a particular focus in the Dominican Republic. His passion for the people of the Dominican Republic led him to found Helping Hands, a ministry to supply windows and doors for churches and a Christian school. In the Dominican, Ted was known as the "windows and door man." Anyone who donated to Helping Hands received a batch of handmade pecan brittle, a secret recipe only known by Ted.

Ted not only spent many hours witnessing and working in the Dominican Republic, spread over 15 different trips; but he also served as a short term Missionary to people in Brazil, Haiti, Paraguay, Mexico and Belize.

Ted leaves us with wonderful memories, as he was a gifted speaker, with a quick wit and uncanny ability to tell a story. We influence others most by the way we make them feel, not by the words we say. Ted was a true disciple of Godly influence and mentorship. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Jane Burgsteiner, Mary Stines, Ben Griner, Jr., Louise Byers, Bill Griner and Paul Griner.

Ted is survived by his loving wife, Wilhelmina Griner; his daughters, Kay and Kerry Kopp and Judy and Matt Craven; his grandchildren, Jackie Kopp, Katie Kopp, Kasey and Colin Ross and Scott Craven.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Trinity United Methodist Church with The Reverend Kirk Bozeman and Bishop Robert Coulter officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 – 8 p.m. at Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Mr. Griner will be carried to the church on Thursday where he will lie-in-state for one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Helping Hands Ministries, P.O. Box 452, Cartersville, Georgia, 30120.

Parnick Jennings Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Reverend Ted P. Griner; please visit www.parnickjenningsfuneral.com to share memories or to leave a condolence message.