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- [S16] Obituary.
March 26, 1932 - November 12, 2012
Carolyn Fay Patterson Griffin was born on March 26, 1932, in Ringgold, Georgia to Carl Harley Patterson and Mary Carolyn Silvey Patterson. She went home to be with her Lord on November 12, 2012 at her home in Middle Valley near Hixson, Tennessee.
Carolyn graduated from Ringgold High School in 1949, worked briefly at Davenport Hosiery Mill in Chattanooga and DuPont Nylon Plant in Hixson, and married Benjamin Franklin Griffin on February 14, 1951. With her marriage and the birth of her children (David in 1952, Elaine in 1954, and Brian in 1957) she embarked on a very successful career as a wife, mother, and homemaker. With grace and strength she managed the challenges of a husband’s dual careers with ever-changing swing shifts, children’s school schedules, teaching kindergarten, involvement in church activities, and serving the needy in the community.
For over 61 years Carolyn faithfully supported Ben in all his endeavors including his DuPont career, home-building, volunteer mission work, camping, boating, and trips to stock car races. Though she was on hospice with declining health, she rallied to care for him when he was placed on hospice earlier this year. She was at his side when he died on October 4, 2012.
As a mother she created a safe and secure home where her children were loved, taught, nurtured, clothed, and fed. She encouraged them in their educational pursuits, taught them about Jesus by word and example, welcomed their friends as members of the family, and adopted their spouses as her own children.
The delight of her life was her five grandchildren, their spouses, and a step-grandchild. She found great joy in doing whatever they wanted to do: reading a book; playing a game; going to the park, the lake, or camping; cooking and eating special treats; giving gifts; and celebrating birthdays.
Because her heart was attuned to children, she served many years as a kindergarten teacher at Middle Valley Baptist Church and John H. Allen Elementary in Soddy-Daisy. Her deep empathy moved her to care for the sick, hurting, poor, elderly, and physically and mentally handicapped.
She was a faithful member of two churches during her lifetime, Keith Baptist near Ringgold, and Middle Valley Baptist. In the latter she served for over 50 years as a nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, missions education leader, and servant of those in need.
She blessed family, friends, and the community with her generous hospitality, compassionate heart, sweet spirit, out-going personality, warm sense of humor, and ability to laugh at herself. “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She is survived by three children: son Dr. David (Ellen) Griffin of Georgetown, TX; daughter Dr. Elaine (Randy) Amberson of Soddy-Daisy, TN; and son Brian (Dr. Amy) Griffin of Knoxville, TN. She is survived by 5 grandchildren: Dr. Joshua (Elizabeth) Griffin of Pittsburgh, PA; Jonathan (Ashley) Griffin of Sanderson, TX; Mary Ana Galindez of Soddy-Daisy, TN; Ezra (Dr. Rose) Griffin, Esq. of St. Louis, MO; and Miriam Griffin of Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by: a step-grandson Jeremy Amberson of Missoula, MT; a brother Joel (Charlotte) Patterson of Cleveland, TN; a sister Martha (Elmer) Ridley of Cartersville, GA; a sister Hanna (Sam) Griffin of Hixson, TN; and a large extended family.
The family would like to express appreciation for the wonderful care provided by Hospice of Chattanooga and by the pastor and members of Middle Valley Baptist Church, especially the Wednesday night ladies Bible study that met at her home until her death.
Visitation will be in the chapel of Middle Valley Baptist Church on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral will be in the same chapel on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 2:00 pm with Dr. David Griffin and Rev. Gary Scott officiating. Entombment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Hixson.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
- [S25] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
- [S16] Obituary.
February 4, 1928 - October 4, 2012
Benjamin Franklin Griffin was born on February 4, 1928 in the Rossville area of Chattanooga, Tennessee to James Luther Griffin and Lillie Willielee Wooden Griffin. He went home to be with his Lord on October 4, 2012 from his home in Middle Valley near Hixson, Tennessee.
Ben graduated from Lakeview (Georgia) High School in 1945, served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948, and, in 1948, began a 37-year career at DuPont Nylon Plant in Hixson. He married Carolyn Patterson on February 14, 1951, and children soon followed: David in 1952, Elaine in 1954, and Brian in 1957. He worked hard to provide for his family both at DuPont and in his own home building business. Yet he found time for swimming, boating, and camping with his family and stock car races with his boys. After his retirement from DuPont in 1985, he became a full-time volunteer, building and remodeling church buildings and other ministry facilities (in TN, GA, MI, Honduras, and Mexico), serving on Southern Baptist disaster relief teams (in FL, TN, and along the Mississippi River), assisting with Chattanooga’s AIDS hospice, and participating in The Gideons International (speaking in churches and distributing Bibles in TN and New York City). He was a member of Middle Valley Baptist Church for 50 years, singing bass in the choir, serving as a deacon, and investing countless hours in care of the facilities. He is remembered by family and friends for his servant heart, generous spirit, honesty and integrity, and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Patterson Griffin, and three children: son Dr. David (Ellen) Griffin of Georgetown, TX; daughter Dr. Elaine (Randy) Amberson of Soddy-Daisy, TN; and son Brian (Dr. Amy) Griffin of Knoxville, TN. He is survived by 5 grandchildren: Dr. Joshua (Elizabeth) Griffin of Pittsburgh, PA; Jonathan (Ashley) Griffin of Sanderson, TX; Maryana Galindez of Soddy-Daisy, TN; Ezra (Dr. Rose) Griffin of St. Louis, MO; and Miriam Griffin of Knoxville, TN. He is also survived by a brother Samuel (Hanna) Griffin of Hixson, TN, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express appreciation for the wonderful care provided by Hospice of Chattanooga and by the pastor and members of Middle Valley Baptist Church.
Visitation will be in the chapel of Middle Valley Baptist Church on Saturday, October 6, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral will be in the same chapel on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 2:00 pm. with Dr. David Griffin and Pastor Gary Scott officiating.
Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.
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1932 - 2012 (80 years)
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