Obituaries
Arlene Griffin was born Arlene Davis on October 4, 1929 in Parkin, AR to Addie Lena and John Davis. They later moved to Gilmore, AR where she attended school through the 8th grade. She started attending High School in Marion, AR until her parents decided to send her and her sister, Virgie, to live with an aunt and uncle in Memphis, TN. There they attended Booker T. Washington High School.
While attending High School in Memphis, Arlene met and married Robert Fulton Griffin. They raised their five children; Robert, Ray, JoAnn, Dorothy and Maxine, plus 2 of their grandchildren; Terry and Christina.
Arlene’s life was one of service. Service to her God, her family, her friends and strangers. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Mother Board, Mission President at the Bethlehem Baptist Church where she was a member for the last 78 years. She was Sunday School, Mission and Baptist Training Union teacher. She and her husband, Robert, would provide music for Sunday School. She would sing and he would play the piano. She also provided cakes for certain occasions at the church.
Because she believed in the truthfulness of the Bible, she served her family well. She made sure that her home was clean and comfortable. Everyone was well fed and clothed. Mostly, she provided an atmosphere in the home that was peaceful and loving. Even when she needed to administer discipline it was never done in anger because she followed bible principles.
Arlene Griffin served her neighborhood well. She was always friendly and ready to help anyone who needed help. Even when she wasn’t treated well by someone, if she saw an opportunity to show kindness to that person she would do so. Whether it was taking them to buy groceries, to a doctor’s appointment or providing them with a meal she was willing to do it.
Arlene touched so many lives in a positive way in her 95 years on this earth. Especially those of her children and grandchildren. We will miss her dearly but will always remember the kindness she’s shown, the things that she taught us and the love that she gave us. We will wait until the resurrection so that we will see her again in perfect health. (Job 14:14,15)
Arlene is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Robert Griffin Sr., mother and father, Addie and John Davis, her brothers, Samuel, A.C. and J.C. Lofton, John, Fred and Archie Davis, her sisters, Maxine Earnest, Rosie Parker and Lenora Epps, step daughter, Ernestine Griffin and son-in-law Rickie Jones. She is survived by her children, Robert Griffin Jr. (Patricia), Ray Griffin (Claudia), JoAnn McGhaw (Larry Sr.), Dorothy Brown (Donald), and Maxine Jones, her siblings, Ruby Lewis, Florsie Murray and Walter Davis. Grandchildren, Terry Griffin, Christina Turner, Verlisa Griffin, Kanika Sanders, Bakari Griffin, Rickie Jones, Raychel Griffin, Jessica Griffin, Larry McGhaw Jr., Suzanne Rogers, Kenneth Brown, Keith Brown, Donald Brown Jr. and Cynthia Green. And a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
13
Dec
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
13
Dec
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Committal Service
13
Dec
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125
Cemetery Details
Location
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125