Promoted to Glory: Major Elizabeth Grider
Major Elizabeth Grider, known by her friends lovingly as “Lib,” was Promoted to Glory on January 29, 2025, from Peral, MS. She was 84.
Elizabeth Louise Honshul was born on December 1, 1940, in Lexington, KY to James and Ophelia Honshul, growing up as a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
The summer before her junior year, Brigadier Peter Way hired Lib to supervise The Salvation Army’s playground at the corps while school was out. It was during this summer that she met Ray Grider. They fell in love and were married on June 20, 1959.
In the early years of their marriage Lib worked as the corps bookkeeper for the Army while Ray worked in the furniture industry. When Ray joined the Air Force Lib accompanied him to his first duty station at Charleston Air Force Base.
Upon their arrival in Charleston, Captain Jack T. Waters hired Lib as corps bookkeeper and secretary, and the young couple became very active in corps programs.
In 1964, Lib felt God calling her to Salvation Army officership. God reaffirmed Ray’s calling around this time as well.
They entered the Evangeline Booth College in 1966 as members of the Messengers of the Faith session of cadets and were commissioned in June 1968 with the rank of Lieutenant.
Lib faithfully served alongside her husband in a number of corps and area command appointments. She also served in various divisional and territorial appointments such as League of Mercy secretary, Home League secretary, Silver Star secretary, and medical fellowship secretary. But among her favorite appointments was her work as overseas child sponsorship director.
In all of her appointments, people were the driving force of her ministry. She loved knowing their stories and their families. Her favorite thing to do was to visit with someone over a cup of coffee.
She found her greatest joy in her children and grandchildren.
Major Lib Grider is preceded in death by her parents; by her loving husband of 62 years, Major Raymond Grider, Jr.; and one grandson, Joshua Ray Grider.
She is survived by her three children: Major Timothy (Cheryl) Grider, Christopher (Katie) Grider, and Amy (Santiago) Mattiauda—as well as four grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the Jackson, Mississippi Corps, at 2 p.m.