Cooperative Living September 2016 - 33

(Clockwise, from upper left) Visitors know they are in Grizzard when they see Martin Harrell's red caboose placed close to the old train
depot. Stacy and Chris Bradshaw reside in the " Grizzard Home Place, " where the community's namesake lived and the largest magnolia
tree in Virginia is located. Bethlehem Baptist Church and a portion of the congregation with Pastor Kelsey Moore kneeling in front.
Their son, Kevin, lives next door and
commutes to Garysburg, North Carolina,
where he is a supervisor with Enviva, a
producer of wood pellets.
People who have moved into the Grizzard
area, like Chris and Stacy Bradshaw, make
remarks about how pleasant it is to live
among friendly neighbors who are always
willing to lend a hand. He works with the
USDA Nature Resources Conservation
Service, and she is a student at Virginia State
University. They moved in 2005 to the
" Grizzard Home Place, " formerly Sheriff
Grizzard's abode, and they lived in a
single-wide trailer on the property until
major remodeling and an addition to the
house were completed in 2010. In the front
yard of their home grows an enormous
magnolia tree - in fact, it has been
measured at 276 inches in circumference,
making it the largest listed magnolia in
Virginia; and it is currently the Southern
Magnolia National Grand Champion.
Gary and Diane Herubin came to Grizzard
33 years ago when a job opportunity with
the Department of Defense arose for him.
They were living in Virginia Beach at the
time and were contending every day with
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traffic from the naval base and the constant
noise of jets flying overhead.
" We wanted to raise our boys where they
could ride 4-wheelers and have property to
enjoy activities that they couldn't do in the
city, " he says. " The people here were very
hospitable! When we moved here, it was like
a piece of heaven! "
During his 31 years as program manager,
Gary travelled from the tiny settlement of
Grizzard to cities all across the United States
and to other countries - France, Germany,
Belgium and Japan, to name a few. " Grizzard
is like a crossroads to three major cities, " he
says. " I can be in Raleigh in two hours,
Richmond in one and the Tidewater area in
an hour-and-a-half. " He also mentions the
benefit of living where taxes are lower. Diane
was employed as a dental hygienist in
Emporia, and both of them are enjoying
retirement now. He currently serves on the
board of directors of the Emporia Country
Club. " Living in Grizzard is a unique
experience, " he comments, " and we love it! "
Thomas and Joan Cobb came to Grizzard
in 1990 from King William County and are
happily retired now. He was a shop teacher
at Greensville County High School, and Joan
worked in the retail business and also as a
bank teller. They enjoy the area's
opportunities for fishing, raising a garden
and being in a quiet neighborhood. " The
people are friendly, and it's a nice place to
live, " they concur.
A significant element of any community
is the local church, such as Bethlehem
Baptist Church. In November the
congregation will be celebrating the
church's 123rd anniversary. Some of the
members live in the nearby area, but many
drive from Emporia and Greensville County
to attend Sunday and mid-week services.
The group is active in networking with
Social Services to provide school supplies
and canned goods to less-fortunate
residents of Sussex County, and the church
members faithfully engage in numerous
mission projects.
Many Grizzard folks, past and present,
have made significant impacts in
communities that extend far beyond the
unmarked boundaries of Grizzard. Future
generations living here will recall the
history of this tiny community and will
continue to extend the hospitality that
Grizzard is so well-known for today. 
September 2016 | Cooperative Living | 31

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Cooperative Living September 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living September 2016