Mary Tom (Homan) Grider

Mary Thomas Homan Grider age 81, of Louisville, KY formerly of Springfield, passed away at 3:40 p.m., Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville.

She was born on July 8, 1940 in the Mooresville Community of Washington County to the late Joseph Thomas and Julia May Carney Homan.

Mary Tom grew up attending New Hope Baptist Church and was a longtime member of Springfield Baptist Church. She was a 1959 graduate of Springfield High School, 1962 graduate of Georgetown College and a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Over the course of her thirty-five-year career as an educator, Mrs. Grider taught thousands of students in Washington County Schools and Bardstown High School. Mary Tom loved world history and geography. A born storyteller, she could engage both young children and reluctant teenagers, by sharing adventuresome stories about historical figures and events.

After her retirement in 1996, she enjoyed substitute teaching and seeing former students out in the community. She remained active in the “Ole Fashion Club” Homemaker’s group and Joy Sunday School Class. She practiced the Citizenship she taught to so many by working the polls as a county election officer for many years. 

After the passing of her husband Jimmy, in 2011, Mary Tom, moved to Louisville to be near her daughters and grandchildren. She was again active in a homemaker’s group and Joy Sunday School Class at Westport Baptist Church. She enjoyed family brunch every Sunday and made many friends in her new neighborhood. 

Preceding her in death was her husband of forty-five years, James Walter Grider on March 20, 2011; and infant sister, Julia Bell Homan on July 1, 1936; a brother, Frank Monroe Homan on September 13, 2018 and a sister, Nancy Barr Goatley on October 20, 2021.

Survivors include two daughters, Julia Roxanne Grider and Jamie Thomas Grider Paradis and her husband, Al Paradis of Louisville; two grandchildren, Lillian Paradis and James Fischer Paradis; a brother, Joe Bill Homan of Springfield and three sisters, Sarah Ethel Keeling and her husband, John Edward of Springfield, Mattie Greer of Bardstown, Margaret Jackson of LaGrange and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private for family members only at Carey & Son Funeral Home.

Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Al Paradis, John Joe Keeling, Tom Greer, Ray Greer, Jr., and Jack Barr 

There will be no public visitation.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the charity of your choice.

Carey & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Tom (Homan) Grider, please visit our floral store.