Grier Melvin Whiteside departed this life at 79, on Monday, July 8, 2013 at Catawba Hospital.

He was born October 11, 1933 in Bath County, the son of the late Henry and Margaret Walkins Whiteside.

Mr. Whiteside served in the Korean War in the United States Air Force.

He was a retired investigator with the Virginia ABC Board.

He was a very active member of the Edgemont Presbyterian Church as he served as deacon and an elder. He was also a member of the Men's Bible Class. Through the years he was a member of American Legion, the Issac Walton League, Men of Missions, Cope, and the Kentucky Colonels.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Frances Martin and Ann Fry, and a brother Henry T. Whiteside.

Surviving are a wife of 60 years Viola "Jane" Thompson Whiteside of Covington; a daughter, Cynthia Farmer (Chad) of Coleman, Texas; four grandchildren: Amanda Hernandez (Cliff), Rachel Johnson, Kirk Johnson, and Ashleigh Farmer and two great granddaughters, all of Texas; a sister, Rebecca Cox of Clifton Forge, and a brother, Jesse Whiteside of Alabama.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday July 12, 2013 at Edgemont Presbyterian Church with Rev. Donnie Bowker officiating.

Memorial tributes may be made in Mr. Whiteside's name to Edgemont Presbyterian Church at 2306 S. Church Ave, Covington, VA 24426.

The Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, Virginia, is handling the arrangements.