Blake Paxton Grider

Blake Paxton Grider, 18, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on January 1, 2026, in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Born on February 21, 2007, in Columbia, Blake was the beloved son of Brandon Duane Grider and Kristin Sable South Grider. He loved Jesus and was a faithful member of New Song Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. Blake spent his early years surrounded by a loving family who adored him. As he grew older, he developed a passion for writing and a deep love for music, which inspired him to write rap lyrics. He was incredibly talented and creative.

Blake’s personality was larger than life. He loved deeply, was kind to everyone, and had a wonderful sense of humor that kept those around him laughing. Blake never ended a phone call or parted ways without saying “I love you” or “much love,” something he never took for granted after the passing of his best friend and father in 2018.

His sisters were his world, and Blake was eagerly anticipating the arrival of his baby brother in May 2026. He will forever be remembered as the best guardian angel. In his short 18 years, Blake touched countless lives and left an unforgettable impact on all who knew him.

Blake is survived by his paternal grandparents and guardians, Gary and Melissa Grider; his sisters, Kymber and Paysley Grider; devoted aunts and uncles, Sarah Grider (Billy Kirkland) and Holly Terry (Richard Terry); great-grandmother Joyce Carol Grider; great-grandfather, George Barber; his mother, Kristin Sable South Grider (Jesse Busby); maternal grandparents, Karen Baldwin and Tim South; his aunt, Kasey South; Cousins, Marleigh and Millie Terry, Eva, Bryson and Preston Kirkland and several extended Aunts, Uncles and cousins; Special friends Jerry and Beverly Seabolt and Allie Tapper.

He was preceded in death by his father, Brandon Duane Grider; great-grandfather Jerry Olen Grider; great-grandmother Mary Kerns Barber; step-grandmother Rosalyn Deutch Barber; great-grandmother June Baldwin; and great-grandfather Bill Baldwin.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday January 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends Wednesday January 7, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and again on Thursday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM before the service.  Honorary pallbearers are Kymber Grider, Allie Tapper, William Moss, Marquez Maple, Christopher Jones, Albert Scribner, Devyn Brady and Alex Kirk.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to John 3:16 Ministries in Charlotte Arkansas. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or addiction, the family strongly urges you reach out to john316thecure.com.