Glenna B. Grisaffi's Obituary
GRISAFFI, GLENNA BELLE (MIMS) Among one of Dallas’ most vibrant and notable personalities for over 65 years, Glenna passed away peacefully May 30 in Rosenberg, Texas. She died of natural causes at the age of 87. She is preceded in death by loving husband of 37 years, Johnnie Brazil Grisaffi, parents Warren and Thelma Mims and baby sister Mary Nell. Loving siblings include Warren B. Mims, Jr. and wife Dorothy of Graford, Texas, Gaynell Rosen of Mission Viejo, Calif., Sheri Herbert and husband Jay of Damon, Texas and Frank Mims and wife Tis of Marietta, Ga., two nephews, four nieces and several great nieces, nephews and one great-great niece. Born March 20, 1926 in Dallas, Texas, Glenna was the first born child to Thelma and Warren Berry Mims and as the first granddaughter of Mary (Wilson) and William Baldwin Mims and Iva Virginia and Thomas Conner. In her late teens she began her own path living out an extraordinary and colorful life during one of Dallas’ most vibrant but perilous cultures during the forties and fifties. Despite the Great Depression taking its toll on most of the country, Dallas prospered through the oil and financial boom as her family carved their path in various family-owned businesses over the next eight decades. Glenna was considered an integral part of many of the family businesses which began in the cartage and automotive trade and ultimately into machine products, tooling and machinery moving industries. Shortly after the end of World War II, Glenna married Johnnie Brazil Grisaffi February 4, 1946; she was 19 and Johnnie was 14 years her senior. The duo worked together in numerous businesses including founding Dallas’ famous restaurant, the Egyptian Lounge located on Mockingbird Lane in the late forties. In 1950 they sold the business to Sam and Joe Campisi. Today the restaurant is still operated by the Campisi family. After selling the Egyptian, Glenna and Johnnie returned their focus on the growth of the Mims family businesses. Although offered an opportunity in the early fifties to move to Las Vegas with the legendary Benny Binion. Glenna and Johnnie felt it was in their best interest to stay in Dallas and focus on family business. Glenna was receptionist and switchboard operator in her father’s businesses, Texas Tool Traders and Machine Products Company located at 5206 Harry Hines Boulevard. Glenna was excellent in her role and a long time member and past-president of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company’s PBX club. She received numerous awards and accolades for her skill in the PBX trade. In later years, Glenna and Johnnie continued to work together in several businesses. They were particularly skilled at buying and/or starting small businesses, turning them into a profitable success, selling and moving on to a new venture. Businesses involvements from 1960 through the mid-eighties included Texas Tool Traders, Machine Products Company, Able Sandblasting Company, Able Pawn, Airport Jewelry & Loan and Dallas Frame Company. Although they were never able to have children of their own, Glenna’s younger siblings often regarded her and Johnnie as “second parents”. As the eldest child to the Mims’ family, Glenna made sure her brothers and sisters had everything they needed for a successful and happy lifestyle. Family holidays and special occasions were often spent at either the Grisaffi or Mims’ family homes with fond memories. With a focus always centered on family and elaborate feasts, good times were abundant. Glenna was considered by many as an excellent party hostess and cook, particularly with Italian cooking which she learned through Johnnie and his Clesi family cousins. During their final years together, they settled in Carrollton, Texas. In 1983, Johnnie developed health complications and died on February 17 ending a fully lived life and leaving behind a reputation as a successful businessman and helping hand to many. Glenna stayed in Dallas for approximately six years and opened an upscale and chic’ beauty salon located in Preston Center. After closing the salon, she moved to San Antonio for a few years and later to Humble, Texas where she was co-owner of Atacoscita Jewelry & Loan. In 2005, Glenna began experiencing some health issues and moved to an assisted living facility in Richmond, Texas near her sister Sheri who cared for her in her final years. Glenna will always be remembered as a beautiful, loyal and loving matriarch of the Mims family who devoted her life to her husband, her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. She was a strong-willed woman, always present for those who needed her. She lived her life to the fullest and in her own way.
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