John O. Grooms Sr.

John O. Grooms, Sr., 83, of Mooresville, died September 20, 2012, in Methodist Hospital. He was born September 8, 1929, in Liberty, Kentucky, to the late Elmer Henry “Dock” and Ida (Emerson) Grooms.

John worked for General Motors for over 29 years, retiring in 1992. He proudly served for seven years for the United States Army during the Korean War. John was a past member of the Martinsville Moose Lodge #1127 and the Eternal Life Baptist Church, Mooresville. His current memberships include the Mooresville American Legion and Gasburg Baptist Church, Mooresville.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill and Arthur Grooms.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Rachel (Ratcliff) Grooms, to whom he was united in marriage on April 17, 1987; son, John O. Grooms, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Somerset, KY; daughter, Prenciss Diann Russell of Darlington, IN; 3 step-sons; 2 step-daughters; sisters, Marie Howard of Greenwood; Mary Brown of Somerset, KY; 4 half-brothers; 2 half-sisters; 7 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 21 step-great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 22, 2012, in Gasburg Baptist Church, 11564 North Gasburg Road, Mooresville. Calling will be observed from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 21, 2012, in the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Rev. Jack Elliott will officiate the services. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Greenwood. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gasburg Baptist Church Food Pantry. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.