Barbara “Jene” Faulkner Grindley, 76, of Wells, Maine, died peacefully on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at The Landing at Saco Bay in Saco, Maine.

Born on December 28, 1945 in Macon, North Carolina to the late Esther Marie Withers and the late George Lee Faulkner, Barbara and her brother Douglas Leon Faulkner were raised by their paternal grandparents, Viola Harris “Mama Viola” Faulkner and Daniel Russell “Grandaddy” Faulkner. Having only one television in the house, Jene grew up on the country music Grandaddy loved.  Having been taught by her aunts Virginia Faulkner and Gertrude Faulkner Hawkins, Jene was inspired to embark upon a career as an educator.

After graduating from John R. Hawkins High School in Warrenton, North Carolina at the age of 16, Barbara completed her Bachelor's Degree in English at North Carolina College at Durham, now North Carolina Central University, before earning her Master’s Degree in Education at Simmons College, now Simmons University, in Boston. As a college student, Barbara was actively involved in the Civil Rights movement and participated in numerous sit-ins, protest marches, and demonstrations. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

At a party in Boston, Barbara met the man who would become her husband of thirty-seven years, Edgar Lloyd Grindley. Always known as a close-knit family, Barbara and Edgar’s union brought them three children; Keasha Danielle, Adam Lloyd, and Jaysen Douglas. Barbara also had two grandsons that lit up her life; Adam Lloyd Grindley, Jr. and Douglas Desir Marescot.

Known to half of her friends as “Barbara” and to the other half as “Jene”, everyone knew her as a hard worker. During her college summers, she traveled to Boston to work with her beloved cousins Annette (Palmer) Johnson and Pearline (Palmer) Harmon. Her strong work ethic didn't end there. Barbara worked full-time as a teacher with Boston Public Schools. During the summer months, Barbara worked with programs which benefited children and families in the Boston Public School System. If that wasn’t enough, she spent her nights and weekends working as a secretary in the emergency room at Boston Children's Hospital where she enjoyed pre-diagnosing the children that came in for care.  

Moving her family to Hampton, Virginia in 1986 didn’t slow her down at all. Barbara continued teaching and furthering her own education. She completed classes in Administration through Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia while pioneering a program at the Lincoln Park housing community to end truancy among the children there through parental education and community support. “Miss Jene” became a trusted member of the neighborhood, getting invited to cookouts, giving rides to schools, and letting people know they mattered.

The money earned from all of Barbara’s hard work was never wasted - in her eyes. Whether or not she needed what she bought, she loved to shop. Be it in a store or at a yard sale, if it was a good deal to her, Barbara could not leave a treasure behind. Barbara also used her money to travel extensively. She traveled to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean with friends and family.  Her most memorable trips were tours of England, France, and Switzerland.

Socially, Barbara brought the life to every party. Known for her love of the color yellow and her love of Tweety Bird, Barbara was also known for hosting many legendary theme parties. She always welcomed friends, family, and people she never met to her home for festive events. She and Edgar provided all of the food, entertainment, and fun. Anyone ever invited to her home was only required to bring themselves, a big appetite, and the desire to have a good time.

After retiring, Barbara found a new direction in community service and senior events. Often when you would call her, she could not answer because she was attending her Community Policing class or exercising with the Silver Sneakers. “Barbara #2” as this newest group of friends would call her, enjoyed going to lunch and playing bingo hoping to win dollar rolls of paper towels or hand sanitizer.

As she started to slow down, Barbara was cared for first in Virginia by her sons and eldest grandson, then in Maine by her daughter, son-in-law, and younger grandson. Still, she would dance to the Coasters, swoon for Aaron Neville, and admire the beauty of Etta James.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar L. Grindley; her son, Adam L. Grindley, Sr.; and one sister, Diane Faulkner. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Keasha Marescot and son-in-law John Marescot of Wells, Maine; one son, Jaysen Grindley of Hampton, Virginia; two grandsons, Adam Grindley, Jr. of Hampton, Virginia and Douglas Marescot of Wells, Maine; one sister, Jacqueline Williams of Boston, Massachusetts; four brothers, Dr. Douglas Faulkner of Wake Forest, North Carolina, McFall Faulkner and Arthur Withers of Boston, Massachusetts, and Roy Faulkner of Henderson, North Carolina, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. 

A memorial service is being held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Biddeford Church of Christ, 266 Pool St., Biddeford, ME  04005.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

To leave a message of condolence click on Barbara’s Tribute page.