<P> Also in the fifth season, Russell found some romantic interest in Dottie (Lauren Tom), a gossiping hairstylist who was also friends with Grace . Nadine, meanwhile, after having given birth to her and Wade's long - awaited child, abruptly decided to leave Wade and move to Colorado, and was never seen again . (Actress Julie White had left the show between seasons 4 and 5 .) </P> <P> Throughout the entire five - year run, Grace's ex-husband Jimmy Kelly (Geoff Pierson) showed up, sometimes causing problems and at others miraculously clean and sober, trying to win Grace back . A reconciliation never quite happened, but the two did settle on a good friendship for the sake of the kids . In the midst of Jimmy's attempts to get straight, his father Emmett (guest star Matt Clark) died . In the aftermath of his death, it was revealed that Emmett was gay . At this time, Jimmy's mother Jean (Peggy Rea), Grace's disapproving and moralizing former mother - in - law, offered to move in and help Grace raise the kids (Rea had previously guest starred as Jean a few times since the series premiered). </P> <P> Russell, meanwhile, reconciled with his estranged dad, Floyd (Tom Poston). Seen twice late in season two, by season three Floyd ended up moving in with Russell and working with him in the pharmacy, and appeared on a regular basis . As far as Grace's own kin and past life went, she had a regular source of support from her sister Faith (Valri Bromfield) in the first two seasons . Another development came when Grace was contacted by her first child, Matthew (guest star Tom Everett Scott), whom she gave up for adoption before meeting Jimmy . Matthew had questions about his ancestry and ended up meeting his biological father . </P> <P> By the fifth season, Dot had replaced Nadine as Grace's friend and confidant, but in early 1998, Dot stopped appearing on the show (though she was still mentioned). Instead, Grace's old friend Bev Henderson (Julia Duffy) came back to town and ended up moving in with the Kellys to get back in touch with her working - class roots . Grace and Bev's personal reunion was unexpectedly the last major storyline of the series . Although she was joining the cast full - time, Duffy only appeared in two episodes of Grace Under Fire before the series was abruptly canceled in mid-February . </P>

Who played grace's mom on grace under fire