Evelyn Blanche Gritton, 87, of Lawrenceburg formerly of Louisville, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 at the Frankfort Regional Medical Center. Born March 12, 1927 in Lawrenceburg, KY, she was the daughter of the late Edward Bryan and Opal Goodlett Gritton.

She is survived by a sister, Louise Gritton Toll of Lawrenceburg, a niece Donna (David) Haydon of Lexington, nephews Martin (Stacy) Sherrow, Jr. of Lexington, Edward Charles Toll of Kerrville, TX, David Jackson Toll and his son Bryan Toll of Lawrenceburg, six great nieces and nephews. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Kathleen Sherrow and her husband Martin, and a great nephew, Kevin Sherrow.

Ms. Gritton was a 1945 graduate of Lawrenceburg City High School, a graduate of the KY Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Louisville, and a member of the KY Baptist Hospital Alumni Association. She formerly was an active member of the Broadway Baptist Church, Brownsboro Road in Louisville.

A Registered Nurse, Ms. Gritton served in the Nursing Corps during W.W. II and was instrumental in the opening of the Methodist Evangelical Hospital in Louisville where she served as Vice President of Nursing and continued her career for over 43 years. Ms. Gritton helped develop the Nursing Dept. in 1960 at the MEH. The high principles established made MEH a model for compassionate, personal treatment. Ms. Gritton's colleagues agreed that personal touch was her legacy. Former Chief Operating Officer Frank V. Murphy stated "MEH has made a great contribution and one of the main reasons was that Ms. Gritton fought for patients and nursing. She set the tone." The fact that the tone was carried on is a tribute to Gritton's longevity with the hospital and the fact that she was able to retain the nursing staff she hand-picked and trained. "Three-quarters of the nurses here were taught by her," said McCormick. Perhaps more than anything, Gritton will be remembered for the pride in the profession which she wore as outwardly as the white uniform she never abandoned.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Friday, Jan. 23rd at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home in Lawrenceburg, KY with Dr. Robert Ehr officiating. Burial will follow in the Lawrenceburg Cemetery. Visitation will be 11 – 1 Friday.

Memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church, Educational Fund, 111 N. Main St., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342.