Our mother, Gwendolyn W Grinton, was called home to be with the Lord and rest on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Gwendolyn was born December 19, 1943 in Buffalo, New York to the late Fred and Julia Walker. From early childhood the family relocated to Winston-Salem, NC where she attended the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools. Before retiring many years ago from the work world, she worked for Amarr Garage Doors, which is still headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

She was a faithful member of Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC where she was one of the founding members. She served in many capacities including President of the Usher Board and Aid to Pastor Christian Quire. She continued to be led in her faith by Pastor Benjamin Rockson and was honored as Mother of the Year. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; one sister; one son; and one great-grandson. Gwendolyn leaves in loving memory her two sons, Tony (Kaytrina) Smith, Sr. and Michael (Edith) Smith both of Winston-Salem, NC; three granddaughters, Christol (Travis) Murphy, Zavia (Adrian) Halliday, and Rochelle Todd; one grandson, Tony Smith, Jr.; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; a devoted niece, Seania (Tomi) King; a devoted nephew, Tyrone (Cynthia) Walker; a devoted cousin, Robert Brim; devoted friends, Beulah “Jill” Hoover and Sylvia Hickerson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00pm Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. The family visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 3:00pm on Saturday at the Chapel.