Mary Griffin

Mary Dee Griffin, 97, a lifetime resident of West Columbia, TX passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2016. She was born on March 20, 1919, to Henderson and Lizzie Tinsley in Thompson, TX. As a young girl, she attended school in West Columbia. Mary Dee married Maness Griffin on August 7, 1934, and they were together for more than 60 years until his passing in 1995.

Mary Dee was a young hardworking woman who raised her seven children during the early years of West Columbia. She enjoyed mingling with customers while working at Twin Oaks Cafe and Bruno Drugstore in West Columbia.

Mary Dee was an active longtime member of First Baptist Church of West Columbia, until she was unable to continue her regular attendance upon moving to Country Village Care Center. She was a 60-year member of the West Columbia Eastern Star Chapter No. 705 and had the honor of being Past Worthy Matron.

Mary Dee loved to hear and discuss the latest news of family and friends. She lived in the era of telephone party lines, which was the social media of the 1950's and early 1960's. A pastime she enjoyed was using the CB scanner and she was the most avid Columbia Roughneck fan.

Mary Dee is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Maness, daughter, Mary Lois Whitt, grandsons; Larry Anderson, Jr., Scott Griffin and Tony Whitt, sisters; Lois Bennett, Adelyn Bennett, Marie Hemple, and Florence (FE) Barnes, and a brother, Ira Tinsley.

Mary Dee is survived by her sons, Maness Jr. and Faye Griffin, Ray Dell and Frances Griffin, Downey and Judy Griffin; daughters, Shirley Griffin Anderson, Joan and Robert Lewis, Linda and Robert Brown, son-in-law Delbert Whitt and loving sister, Eleanor Andrews. In addition, Mary Dee is survived by 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren, who brightened her life with extra joy and happiness along with numerous other family members.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 27, 2016, from 10:00-11:00am with the service beginning at 11:00am at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia, TX. Burial will follow at Columbia Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons; Rob Brown, David Lewis, Mark Anderson, Josh Griffin, Ken Whitt, Stephen Griffin and Randall Griffin. Honorary pallbearers to gravesite are Tim Whitt, Justin Griffin, Jason Griffin, Darin Brown, Ben Brown and Mike Anderson.

The family of Mary Dee Griffin wishes to express gratitude to the staff of Country Village for the excellent daily care by all of her nurses. Also, thank you to A-Med Hospice nurses for their kind care to our Mother.

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