Eva Grace Gryder

Eva Grace Gryder, age 18, of Taylorsville, peacefully passed on to heaven on March 24, 2025, at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem after a long raging battle with bipolar disorder. She was strong and brave, and those who knew her knew that she fought hard against this illness.

Eva was born August 8, 2006, in Greenville, SC. Her parents are Brad and Karen Gryder of Taylorsville. Eva was an honors graduate of Alexander Early College, receiving an associate’s degree in science and an associate’s degree in arts. Eva was a full-time student at Appalachian State University in Boone, pursuing a degree in psychology. Eva was a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Hiddenite, having given her heart to the Lord on February 12, 2013. Eva was an accomplished vocalist, piano player, dancer, and artist. Eva loved the outdoors and animals, and she also loved spending time with her family (especially her grandma), her cousins, friends, and fellow students. Eva had an adventurous spirit and loved making new friends, reading, writing, cooking, driving, hiking, flying, and hang gliding. She loved life.

She was a light and a blessing to all those around her all her life. In her death, when asked long ago, Eva decided to be an organ donor and will be a blessing to at least 125 families through HonorBridge.org, which connects needy recipients and compatible donors. Eva was a friend to the friendless, a beautiful precious soul, and she will leave an empty place in so many hearts and lives.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Wade Gryder.

In addition to Eva’s parents, survivors include her sister Kristina Bell Douthette and husband Dennis of Chapel Hill, her brother Jonathan Bell and wife Marcey of Youngsville, her niece Hadley Bell, her nephews Isaac Bell, Henry Douthette, and Sawyer Douthette, Eva’s cherished grandmother Shirley Bowles Gryder of Hiddenite, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins in North Carolina and Virginia.

A family led visitation will be held Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 2600 Old Mountain Road, Hiddenite, NC from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church at 3:00 pm. Rev. Brian Eades will officiate, assisted by Youth Pastor Derek Stevenson. Inurnment will be with the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may made to Gideons International, PO Box 517, Taylorsville, NC 28681 or to the Alexander County Library, 77 1st Ave SW, Taylorsville, NC 28681

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com