Retired Virginia retailer Ellison Lee Grimsley dies
Co-owned Brothers Furniture in Annandale area
Tanya K. Merritte -- Furniture Today, November 4, 2009
ANNANDALE, Va. — Ellison Lee Grimsley, who co-owned a furniture store in this area for more than 30 years, has died of bladder cancer. He was 85.
Grimsley, who served in the Navy during World War II, opened Brothers Furniture with his brothers in 1949 and ran the store until his retirement in 1984. Michael Grimsley, one of his four sons, said his father was instrumental in helping many sales representatives get their start in the home furnishings business.
After leaving his store, Grimsley became a successful croquet player and provided a court that the Georgetown University croquet team used for training. He also got involved in real estate and taught Sunday school.
Three of his sons are in the furniture business. Ellison Grimsley Jr. owns The Chair Shop, Alexandria, Va., and Andrew and Michael Grimsley run Warehouse Showrooms, Alexandria, Va. A fourth son, Douglas Grimsley, has also owned several home furnishings stores.
Other survivors include his wife, Martha, two sisters and nine grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the United Baptist Church of Annandale, 7100 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. 22003.
