Edgar Lorain “Shorty” Grapes

Edgar Lorain “Shorty” Grapes 94 of Romney, WV went to be with his Lord on Sunday March 30, 2008 at his home Mockingbird Hill, Jersey Mt. Road.

Born November 7, 1913in Grant Co, WV, he was the son of the late Virgil and Flo (Cheshire) Grapes.

Mr. Grapes owned and operated two Hampshire County businesses, a service station/grocery and later The Romney tire Company. On retirement he ran an antique car parts business out of his barn.

Mr. Grapes was a fifty-year elder of Zion Church of Christ, served on the boards of both Eastern Christian College and Tri-State Christian Service Camp, and a member of the Jersey Mt. Ruritans. He drove a Hampshire County schoolbus in 1935, and served on the Hampshire County Board of Education 1955-1967. He received honors for his poetry, was Knight of Ole’ Hampshire in 2003 and received the 35th Star Award from Gov. Manchin in July 2007.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Eulala (Martin) Grapes,whom he married June 1935, also preceded by five brothers, Hugh, Kelly, Tom, Cleo, and Leo and a sister, Opal Heavner.

Mr. Grapes is survived by his three children, Carolyn Grapes, of Romney, Vernon Grapes and wife Leah of Cumberland, MD, Ellen Sautter and husband Wayne of Youngstown, PA, three brothers, Eugene and Neil of Romney, Olyn of Wilmington, Delaware, two sisters, Enid Saville and Maude Thorp both of Romney, eleven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and many Grapes and Martin nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday April 3, 2008 in the Augusta Church of Christ with James Ward, minister, John Ward, minister and Jerry Timbrook, minister officiating. Interment will follow in Tearcoat Cemetery, Augusta, WV.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday 2-4 &7-9 at the McKee Funeral Home, Augusta, WV.

Memorials may be sent to E.L. Grapes Scholarship Fund % The Bank of Romney P.O. Box 876 Romney, WV 26757.