Olga Rena Grizzell

olga grizzell

October 2, 1920 ~ November 27, 2015


Resided in: Atlanta, GA

Olga Rena Grizzell, age 95, of Atlanta, passed away Friday, November 27 at Brighton Gardens of Buckhead. She was born on October 2, 1920 in Rome, GA, to the late Roy Ames Grizzell, Sr. and Rena Bee Williams Grizzell. Also preceding her in death were her sister, Ida “Tiny” Grizzell Elliott, and brother, Roy Ames Grizzell, Jr. Rena is survived by a sister, Julia Grizzell Kyle of Atlanta.
As a teenager, Rena enjoyed swimming, diving, and ballroom dancing. Following graduation from Decatur Girls High School in 1937, she served as a kindergarten teacher and taught dancing to teenagers in Decatur and Avondale Estates.
Rena not only taught ballroom dancing, but also worked as a salesperson for the Eastman Kodak Company and for Maier & Berkele Jewelers in Buckhead for many years, until she retired in the early 1990s.
In her youth, Rena was a devoted and active member of Decatur Presbyterian Church, and as an adult she joined the membership of First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Rena never married, but had many “adopted” children including four nieces, Linda Grizzell Leagan of Indian Trail, NC; Diane Grizzell Thompson of Lead Hill, AR; Rena Bee Elliott Garner of Aiken, SC; Julia Kyle Harris of Bainbridge, GA; and two nephews, Carl Palmour Elliott of Aiken, SC and Elliott Grizzell Kyle of Atlanta; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held on December 12th at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, located at 1328 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in her name.

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  1. Pam Parrish says:

    Rena was such a wonderful friend. I treasure my memories of her and our good times together.

  2. Karen Southmayd says:

    I will miss Rena, she would sit by my desk to chat, and as soon as my back was turned, she would try to scoot outside to sit on the porch to watch the cars go by. She was always kind and gentle, but definitely determined! I do know for sure that God does not make mistakes, and one cannot go “Home” until one leaves here, so I know that He has taken her home.. I love you, Rena. Be at peace

  3. Dana Greene says:

    We knew dear Rena in her later years. She was always warm, affirming and fun-loving. She loved her family, friends and her church. May God welcome her.
    Dana Greene and Richard Roesel

  4. Marcy Hansell McCammish says:

    I was in Rena’s ballroom dancing class in 1959 and/or 1960. Great memories!
    My mother, Anna Hansell, played bridge with Rena’s sister, Julia Grizzell Kyle.

  5. Marijo Yaun Culwell says:

    I remember our entire Seventh Grade from Clairemont School taking ballroom dancing at Rena’s. She really taught us our social graces that we enjoyed with every dance we attended from 1947 on. She certainly must have had a lot of patience to contend with pre-teens . She was always a person that left me with fond and happy memories.

  6. Elizabeth Ansley Allan says:

    Wonderful memories of the dancing lessons 7th grade on McDonough St., Decatur–in the late forties. Her enthusiasm overcame even ;the boys’ reluctance. Good to read the obit and see she continued to lead a full life.


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