Born in Embree, Bamburg County, SC, the daughter of Isaac and Katie (Carter) Kinard, Inez Grooms, 92, passed away January 7, 2016, at Sunrise Senior Living of Mercer Island, WA.

In 1941, she graduated from Evergreen High School, Evergreen, SC. Inez married Edward Grooms and they shared 49 years of marriage. She was a military wife, mother and a homemaker, and a Seattle area resident since the early 1960s. She enjoyed traveling, nature, painting, and visiting with family and friends. Inez will be remembered for her kindness, modesty and laughter.

Predeceased by her husband, Edward L. Grooms; son, Reginald D. Grooms; and great-grandson, Cody, and followed in death by daughter, Iris G. Burk, Inez is survived by her sister, Sarah “Nann” Carroll (82), of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren, Wendy Burk, of Seattle, WA, Troy Grooms (Cassie) of Kingwood, TX and Kim Dexter (Marty) of Arlington, TN; and 6 great grandchildren.

The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated, phenomenal care provided by the staff at Sunrise Senior Living of Merer Island, Evergreen Hospice Care and by all of the medical professionals that had a hand in her care. Inez was treated like family, and for that the family is eternally grateful.

Services were held January 16, 2016, at Bonney-Watson Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA. Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association (https://donatenow.heart.org) or American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, PO Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074-2030.

Published in The West Seattle Herald Section of The Westside Weekly January 22, 2016.