Willa Dean Griffin

Willa Dean Griffin, age 85, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died August 19, 2016, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, August 21, 2016, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Mike Bell and John Stephens officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be two hours prior to service at the funeral home.She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James L. Griffin; son, Dennis J. "Bubba" Griffin; father, Henry Brady Kirkley; mother, Effie Kirkley; sisters, Vivian Odom and Maurine Criswell; brother, Lesley Kirkley; and grandson, Michael James Griffin.Survivors include her son, Donald Wade Griffin (TC); daughter-in-law, Cathy Griffin; sister, Shirley "Lois" Morris; brothers, J. T. Kirkley (Joy) and Robert Earl Kirkley (Beth); grandchildren, Maria Reach (Brian), Vanessa Toler Aaron Wade Griffin and Amanda Faith Griffin; and great-grandchildren, Brady Toler, Brianne Toler, Jacob Toler and Logan Reach.Willa was born in 1931; she was the fourth of seven children, mother of two children and married happily for 51 years.James and Deanie founded Eternal Life Church in Peterson, Ala. She was a member of the gospel group, Song of Joy.Momma is happily reunited with the love of her life, James, in heaven.Pallbearers will be Brian Reach, Thomas Kirkley, Billy Joe Kirkley, Doug Kirkley, Aaron Griffin and Brady Toler.Honorary pallbearers are Eternal Faith Church, friends of Circlewood, Dr. George Miller, Hospice of West Alabama and caregivers, Vanessa Toler and Phillesia Ryans.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama.