Elizabeth Juliette Arnold Greivell died peacefully at Seasons Hospicein Cumming, Georgia, with family by her side on October 30, 2021. Juliette (later nicknamed Judy by her brother Hays) was born on Bethel Street in Thomaston, Georgia, on November 1, 1933. Her parents were Hays L. Arnold Sr. and Mary-Bryan Weaver Arnold. She was preceded in death by her brother Hays L Arnold Jr. (Anna), devoted husband Richard H. Greivell, and beloved daughter Juliette Elizabeth Wolfe Greivell Hightower.
She is survived by her two remaining children- Mary-Bryan Giroux (Jim) of Johns Creek, Georgia, and grandson J.A. DrakeKennedy (Victoria Dugger) of Athens, Georgia; John Richard Greivell (Lyle) of Mequon, Wisconsin, and grandsons Jeffrey Greivell (Sarah) and great-grandchildren Aiden and Cameron of Orlando, Florida; Jake R. Greivell (Paige) and great-grandson, Jedi R. Greivell of Mequon, Wisconsin; and her daughter, Juliette's children, Elinor Reid Hightower of Marietta, Georgia, and Thomas A. Hightower of San Jose, California (Cameroun Sherrard); nephew Drs. Hays (Kristen) Arnold of San Antonio, Texas; niece Jennifer Arnold Walton of Rockwell, Texas; great-nieces andnephews: Camp, Cannon, Briggs, Alex, Cole, Shane, and Sophie.
Inaddition to being a painter, musician, and artist, Juliette Greivell was a true creative spirit throughout her entire life. Juliette worked at The High Museum of Art in Atlanta and Atlanta Art Institute in1956 and was employed by Atlanta Art Association from 1957-1959. She earnedher B.A. degree in English and Art History at Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia in Fredericksburg in 1955 and The Memphis Academy of Art in1960. She attended the University of Georgia from 1961-1962 and then also earned her teaching certificate in Wisconsin in 1970 where she developed and began a program for children with disabilities in the Cudahy School District and where she met principal, Dick Greivell. Juliette’s prior teaching experiences included teaching “English for New Americans” in 1965 for Milwaukee Public Schools, Third grade at John B Gordon School 1962-1962 in Upson County, GA, as well as teaching English at Massey Business College in Atlanta, GA.
She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where she sang alto in the choir, was later an active member of Stuart Briscoe’s Evangelical Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and then joined her parents as a member of The Thomaston First United Methodist Church. Juli, as she was affectionately called by husband Dick and known by her closest friends, was active in her support of TUAC, The Upson Historical Society, and DAR. She loved attending concerts, ballet, and theater and was a voracious reader, but she will always be remembered for her quick wit, love of classical music, literature, culture, and world travels. Some of her fondest travel memories include the times she and Dick spent with his childhood best friend, Prof. Arthur Frick, and wife Aida in Wisconsin and her extensive museum experiences and expeditions to England and meeting longtime friends Phyl and Don Lachlan. One memory she recalled recently was a trip to Greece where she and her husband, Dick visited their daughter Juliette. She also explored France, China, Italy, and Amsterdamon her own.
She was a student of the teachings of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and strived to learn and grow at every opportunity. One of her many favorite scriptures was Romans 8:38-39.
Juliette was a native of Thomaston, Georgia, where she graduated from R. E. Lee Institute in 1952, but she also lived in Florida, Virginia, Royal Oaks,Michigan, Memphis, Tennessee, and Brookfield, Wisconsin, before moving back home to Thomaston in 1984.
Juliette made a name for herself in many art circles by creating oil paintings, she patented ‘Props’, drawings, watercolors, and woodcuts and was selected for over 100 juriedexhibits and numerous commissions nationwide. Some of her awards include being the recipient for the Best of Show award League Milwaukee Artists in 1984, 1985, and 1986; Medal awards in Wisconsin Women in the Arts National Exhibitions; Winsor & Newton award New Orleans Art Association; 1st prize Massachusetts Arts League; Grumbacher Gold medallion Harrisburg Art Association; Judges Choice Dekalb Council for Arts; and Decatur Arts Alliance, 1991; Purchase Award LaGrange National XVI; and over 60 commissioned portraits of prominent people including Thomastonians and many others all across the United States. Her goal wasto capture people beyond their mere likeness.
Juliette died peacefully of "plain old age" and near her daughter in John's Creek, GA.She will be buried next to her husband, Richard Hermes Greivell in the Glenwood Cemetery family plot.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests that any memorial contributions go to First United Methodist Church of Thomaston, P.O. Box 707, Thomaston, GA 30286; Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 4777. New York, New York 10163; or Multiple Sclerosis Center of Georgia, Inc., 3200 Downwood Circle NW, Ste 550, Atlanta, GA 30327-1624 http://www.mscatl.org.
A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in the spring when the family can gather.
