Emma Griffin

Emma Jane Stroud Griffin, age 97, departed this life on October 5, 2012
at Golden Living Nursing Home in Meridian, MS. Services celebrating her long,
active, exemplary life will be celebrated Monday, October 8, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Meridian at 3 p.m. with Dr. Joe Anderson and Rev. David McCubbin officiating. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery with James F. Webb Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Mrs. Griffin was born May 25, 1915, in Pinola, MS, daughter of Dr. William Fletcher andLola Royals Stroud.She grew up in Mt. Olive, MS, graduating from Mt. Olive High School at the age of 16. She attended Holmes Jr. College, Mississippi University
For Women, and the University of Mississippi, where she received a BA in Education
Degree.She taught school for a short period of time in Pinola, MS.

On November 27 , 1938 , she married Joseph Milton Griffin, Jr. and devoted the next twentythree years to raising her children and serving her church and community. In their early married life, they lived in Jackson, MS, New Orleans, LA, and Shreveport, LA. While serving in World War II, they lived in Manhattan,
Kansas, Pacific Grove, CA, and San Francisco, CA. They returned to Mississippi after the War and lived in Hickory and Newton before settling in Meridian in 1953.

Along with her husband, Mrs. Griffin became a very active member of First Baptist Church of Meridian. She was a Sunday School teacher for over thirty years, a Baptist Training Union and Girls Auxiliary leader for many years, and served in many other leadership roles of the church, as well. She was dedicated to mission work and
was a strong supporter of local, regional, and international missions.

After raising her family, Mrs. Griffin once again returned to teaching, a profession that she loved. She taught at Jeff Davis Academy and later at Northeast Elementary School. She was renowned as anoutstanding early grade school teacher. No child ever left her class withoutappropriate reading skills. She was devoted to her students and always was willing to freely tutor those who needed extra help.

Mrs. Griffin was a tireless, fun, generous, involved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her time and talents were always devoted to the activities of her family. In 1959, she served as DeMolay Mom. She was a charter member of the Anderson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and was an active volunteer for over twenty years. She was named Volunteer of the Year in 1999, and served as Auxiliary President for three years. Upon moving to Meridian, she became a member of the Pushmataha Chapter of the DAR and started the first Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution . Mrs. Griffin was also a member of the American Association of University Women and the Time and Tide Club.

In addition to her husband, Joe Griffin, and her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Stroud, Mrs. Griffin is predeceased by four sisters, Willie Belle Filleman,Mary Runyan, PernecieAdelleKnight, and Ruby Ricketts three brothers, Dr. Charles Malone Stroud, Mayo Stroud, and William Fletcher Stroud, Jr. and soninlaw, Dr. Jeff Hollingsworth.

She is survived by her son, Joe Griffin, of Meridian, and her daughter and soninlaw, Jan and Lawrence Farrington, of Jackson four grandchildren, Bob Griffin Starr, of Meridian, Jennifer Hollingsworth Clark Walt, of Ridgeland, MS, JeffHollngsworth Liza, of Houston, TX, and Jet Hollingsworth Mamie of Jackson, MS ten greatgrandchildren, McKenzie Griffin, Madeline Griffin, Reid Griffin, Emma Chandler Clark, Griffin Clark, Fletcher Clark, Eloise Hollingsworth, Alice Ann Hollingsworth, Eliza Hollingsworth, and Jetson Hollingsworth.

The family requests memorials be made to Anderson Cancer Center Benevolent Fund, 2124 14th Street, Meridian, Ms. or to First Baptist Church Meridian.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.jamesfwebb.com

Visitation

1st Baptist Church of Meridian
701 26th Avenue
Meridian, MS  39301
Monday, October 8, 2012
1:303:00 pm

Service

Funeral Services

1st Baptist Church of Meridian
26th Street
Meridian, MS  39301
Monday, October 8, 2012
3:00 pm

Cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery
23rd Ave.
Meridian, MS  39301

Memorial Contributions

2124 14th Street
Meridian, MS  39301


701 26th Avenue
Meridian, MS  39301