Irving Minter Groves Jr.

1929 - 2017

Irving Minter Groves Jr. obituary, 1929-2017

FUNERAL HOME

Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home - Martinsville

109 Broad Street

Martinsville, Virginia

Irving Groves Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 2, 2017.

Irving Minter Groves, Jr., longtime Martinsville banker, respected businessman, tireless civic leader, community advocate, and beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on Thursday, August 31, 2017, in Memorial Hospital of Martinsville. He was 88.
He was born on March 8, 1929, in Martinsville, Virginia, the son of Irving Minter and Mattie Hundley Groves, Sr. After graduating from Martinsville High School, he attended Randolph-Macon College, where he graduated with honors and was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, ODK, and Who's Who. He then earned an MBA from the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania.
Groves joined Piedmont Trust Bank (now BB&T) in 1952 to start the bank's Trust Department. He held numerous senior management positions within the bank and was elected as its President and CEO in 1973. After the holding company, Piedmont Bank Group, was formed in 1977, Groves was designated as its first President and CEO. Under his leadership, Piedmont Bank Group grew to be one of the largest bank holding companies in southwest Virginia before its acquisition by BB&T.
His advice and counsel were solicited by many local companies, on whose boards he served as a Director. In addition to Piedmont Trust Bank and Piedmont Bank Group, he also served on the board of directors of American Furniture Co, Inc., Hooker Furniture Corporation, Nationwide Homes, Tultex Corporation, American Standard Homes, Henry County Plywood, and several small, closely-held companies.
Aside from the business demands on Groves' time, he also spent countless hours serving in leadership positions for numerous community and charitable endeavors. Among these, he served as President and Drive Chairman of the United Way, on the board of Memorial Hospital, President of the Kiwanis Club, Organizer and Chairman of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, State Board Member of the Virginia Community College System, board member of the Virginia College Fund, board member of the Virginia Bankers Association, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee of Patrick Henry Community College, Trustee of Carlisle School, and President of the Community Recreation Center (predecessor to the YMCA). He also was an active participant in the leadership of the Boy Scouts of America (he was an Eagle Scout), the Bulldogs Boosters Club, and was Chairman of the Bond Drive for Martinsville High School.
For his entire life, Groves was an involved member of the First United Methodist Church. Among other positions, he served the church as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Endowment Committee.
Though Groves never sought recognition for his community service, the organizations that benefitted from his involvement and leadership chose to bestow upon him several prestigious awards, including: the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce's most prestigious award, the Heck Ford Award; the Jaycee's Distinguished Service and Key Man Award; the Chamber of Commerce's Fred Herring Award; the Economic Development Corporation's Pillar Award; the Home Builders Association's Beducian-Gusler Award; and the American Red Cross's Outstanding Leadership Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his lifelong sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Jett Carter Groves.
Surviving are his three children, Irving Minter Groves, III, of Dallas, Texas, Jett Groves Wood (Reed) and Mattie Groves Sheppard (Steve) of Martinsville; six grandchildren, Vaughan Heilman, Claiborne Linvill (Darren), Mollie Dinnin (Adam), Jeremiah Wood, Micah Wood (Morgan) and A.J. Hice (Martha); three great- granddaughters; and a sister, Ruth Groves Chaney, of Martinsville.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the many local doctors, nurses, and caregivers who gave so freely of themselves to comfort him, in particular during the last several years.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at Oakwood Cemetery, followed by a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Ron Mateer and Keith Ritchie officiating. A reception will follow at Chatmoss Country Club.
The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either the First United Methodist Church (146 E. Main St., Martinsville, VA 24112), The Irving M. Groves, Jr. Scholarship at Patrick Henry Community College Foundation (Frith Hall 146, 645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 24112), or to a charity of the donor's choice. McKee-Stone Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

September 6, 2017

Judy V Mitchell

Jett and Family, We have you in our thoughts and prayers. Jo Ann Vogler Brooks and Judy Vogler Mitchell

September 6, 2017

Linda Harris

Dear Matt & A.J.. So sorry to read of your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you.

September 5, 2017

Mary Haley

To the family: So sorry to hear this sad news, Mr. Groves was a wonderful person, loved and respected by all. Please know all of you are in our thoughts.
Ronnie & Mary B. Haley

September 5, 2017

Tricia Kohlbeck

The family of Patsy and Gerard Draper sends our condolences to you upon the passing of your father. Mr. Groves was a high school classmate of our parents. Our mother spoke very highly of him and your mother.

September 5, 2017

Ellis & Linda Wright

Irving, please be assured of our deepest sympathy and prayers for you in the loss of your father.

September 4, 2017

We will miss our friend Irving. His kindness, wisdom, and generosity helped make Martinsville a better place to live.

The Freelands, Butch, Terry, and Family

September 3, 2017

Ann Hamre

I will always cherish my childhood growing across the street from The Groves. What a great family! So many wonderful memories! Sending peace and strength to the family.

September 3, 2017

Sincere condolences for the family at the passing of such an incredible gentleman. He touched the lives of so many and especially was so encouraging and loving to his family. May God strengthen and bless each of you as you celebrate Irving's Life and honor his memory. Love and prayers , glenna (Ohio)

September 3, 2017

glenna

Sincere condolences for the family at the passing of such an incredible gentleman. He touched the lives of so many and especially was so encouraging and loving to his family. May God strengthen and bless each of you as you celebrate Irving's Life and honor his memory. Love and prayers

September 3, 2017

Jim Piot

Dear Irving, Marilee and I are very sorry for your loss, the knowledge of a loved one who is near death still does not make it any easier when day of passing arrives. You and your family are in our prayers. We know your father touched many lives in his time and he will be greatly missed by all.

September 3, 2017

Clay and Debby Watlington

Our sincere sympathy and love to the family of a wonderful man. We were blessed to have Irving as a neighbor and friend for the last four years.
Love and Blessings,

Clay and Debby Watlington

September 3, 2017

Cathy Rano

Dear Irving, John and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. He was quite an amazing man. May his memory be a blessing.
Love, Cathy and John

September 3, 2017

Len Poirier

To say Irving will be missed is possibly one of the greatest understatements ever. He was a man of great honor and role model to all. As great as the loss is, his was truly a life well lived.

September 3, 2017

Ronnie McNeely

Sorry to hear the passing of Mr.Groves who leaves so many good memories to me as a great leader and family man plus a friend and neighbor. He is now with his lovely wife in heaven and our maker. May God Bless the family and friends of Mr. Groves and never let us forget the legend he leaves with each of us.

September 3, 2017

Sharon Barrow

I am so sorry for your loss.
From my 1st day at PTB in Nov 1976,
Mr. Groves, Jr. and Mr. Groves, Sr. made me feel like a part of the bank.
From picking me up in the snow and taking me to the Collinsville Branch to congratulating me at my PHCC graduation, I always felt valued. When I visited him on June 1st, he made sure that I took pictures of the deer in his back yard.
I will miss my boss and my friend!

September 2, 2017

Sorry to hear the loss of your father.I thought a lot of him. He will be missed.Steve Jacocks

September 2, 2017

Joe Philpott

A fine southern gentleman and community leader! His presence will be missed.

September 2, 2017

Kayla Cassada

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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