Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home

Serving All With Dignity and Respect Since 1899

Rev. Kenneth Grizzle

Kenneth Grizzle

March 28, 1927      ~     February 1, 2012

A Barren County man called to preach more than 60 years ago was called to Heaven early Wednesday morning, Feb. 1, 2012. Brother Kenneth Marvin Grizzle, 84, of Glasgow, served as pastor at Grider Memorial Baptist Church since April 1954. Saved in 1942 as a 15-year-old boy, he was called to preach in 1951 and preached his first revival in July of that year at Bristletown School. He was ordained into the ministry at Mt. Pleasant Church, the church he grew up in, in May 1954, a month after he had been called to Grider. Eight years later he added Mt. Pisgah Church where he served until December 1971. He also preached at Kirby Grove for nine years, at Savoyard from 1969 through 1977 and at Allen Grove from 1976 to May 2000. He regularly preached at revival services in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana.

Brother Grizzle also reached numerous people who listened to his Sunday morning radio services for more than 60 years on WKAY, now known as WCLU-1490. He had planned to make Sunday’s service his last one because of recent health problems and his role as a devoted caregiver for his wife Emogene, who survives. Their 64th anniversary was Monday, Jan. 30.

A recent visitor at the hospital asked him which was his favorite Bible verse. Despite being gravely ill, he responded quickly, “All of them.” He spent countless hours serving and visiting church members and friends in the hospital. He conducted an untold number of funeral services which included many for people who had no family members. He offered to help anyone who needed it. A strong-willed man, he kept family and friends entertained with a seemingly endless array of jokes and stories that he rarely told a listener more than once.

He was born on March 28, 1927, the son of the late Ruth E. Houchens Grizzle and Harley Grizzle. He was also preceded in death by a brother Raymond Grizzle.

As a child of the Depression Era, he never attended high school but his life experiences and faith helped shape his conservative values. Although he did not have a formal education, his mind was sharp and he could quote scripture with quick recall and accuracy.

His favorite hobby was reading his Bible. He was an avid American history buff, with a particular interest in the Civil War and Gen. Robert E. Lee and valued his collection of Bibles and related books and his history books. He also enjoyed gardening.

Brother Grizzle served 18 months in the U.S. Army in the Philippines in World War II. He worked as a mechanic and carpenter in addition to preaching.

He once said the best thing he ever did for his parents was build them a house, something he did again about 11 years ago for his wife.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Grider Memorial Baptist Church with burial in Glasgow Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.

In addition to his wife Emogene, he is survived by two daughters, Dianna Perkins (Melvin) of Horse Cave and Sandy Adams (Bob) of Bowling Green, a son Phillip Grizzle of Glasgow; eight grandchildren, Shawn Perkins (Debbie) of Glasgow, Gina Huff (Shawn) of Scottsville, Chad Whittington (Melinda) of Columbus, Ohio, Justin and Clint Whittington of Bowling Green, Nicole Whittington of Charlotte, N.C., Tara Lawson (Jason) of Campbellsville, Matt Grizzle of Glasgow and Andy Adams of Bowling Green; four great-grandchildren and two nieces.


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Guest Register

31 Entries for Rev. Kenneth Grizzle

  1. John and Sandi Rigney says:

    Please accept our condolences to the family during this time of sorrow.

    Shawn and Debbie: We are thinking of you in the loss of your Grandfather.

    John and Sandi Rigney

  2. CALVIN WHEELER says:

    to the famil of bro.kenneth i wanted to say i loved him so much my daddy joe wheeler carried on a lot of revivals togeather new him well im so very sorry to here about his passing but hes home now my daddy and mama r haveing a good time no he just preached my father in law service joe coffey in december of 2011 i talked 4 a long time god be with u all and he is home with god dont have to worriey anymore bless the family and gods got another angle love to the family calvin linda wheeler

  3. Regina Taylor Wimmer says:

    I offer my condolences to the family of Bro. Kenneth. He was the pastor of Grider Memorial for my entire life, and the first pastor I ever heard. He truly helped shape my faith and beliefs, and even though I only saw him occasionally over the past few years, I took comfort knowing that he was there. Even now, as I take comfort that he is with our Heavenly Father, his presence in this world will truly be missed.

  4. Travis Kessinger says:

    Would like to say I am very thankful and blessed to know Bro. Kenneth. I’m also very thankful for his teachings and knowledge. He was there when I was saved at the age of 8 and the fiirst person that I got to tell my testimony to. He also had a class every sunday morning for myself and a few more young preachers. He will always be remembered and has set the bar extremely high for all young preachers and pastors. Prayers and Love to Family and Grider Memorial

  5. Janet Smith says:

    Diane- so sorry for you and your families’ loss.

  6. Larryand Vickie Jones says:

    melvin & Diane so very sorry for your los sorry we didh’t make it to the funeral home Larry has had surgery and we both have had that terriable bug going around our prayers are with you all again we are so sorry God Bless you all Love you all Larry & vickie Jones