Patsy Lois (Johnson) Griffin

Patsy Griffin received her angel wings on Oct. 2, 2021 after passing of natural causes. Patsy Johnson was born near Buckholtz, TX on August 14, 1939 to parents Andrew Johnson (deceased) and Ella Marie Scott (deceased). She was educated in a country school in Liberty Hill, TX and then later attended and graduated high school from Evans School in Slaton, TX. After graduation from high school she attended Southwestern Christian College for two years before she married and became a preacher’s wife to her former spouse Herbert H. Griffin.

Patsy Griffin had four passions: (1) Love of God, (2) Love of Family, (3) Love of Singing, and (4) Love of Basketball. She was baptized at 20th and Burch Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX in high school. After moving with her husband Herbert and children from Corpus Christi, TX, she placed membership with Eastside Church of Christ in Austin, TX since 1970. She also attended Southside Church of Christ in Austin, TX for several years. Patsy taught Sunday school at both churches for many years. Kids loved and respected her. Patsy was member of Seasoned Saints at Church of Christ at Eastside. She thoroughly enjoyed her travels with Seasoned Saints. Patsy continued to be a dedicated member of the Church of Christ until her passing.

Patsy loved to sing. Music was always on or being played or being sung at her home. On the rides home from church she and her kids would harmonize gospel songs or secular songs together. During the summers before college she sang alto in the Southwestern Christian College Choir. The choir traveled extensively all over the United States and parts of Canada at different venues and churches. She continued with the choir in her college career at Southwestern Christian College of which she was a long time supporter. She was in the History Club and Dorcas Club (public service organization) at Southwestern also. Later in life, Patsy sang in the church choirs at Eastside Church of Christ and Southside Church of Christ in Austin, Texas.

Patsy loved and adored her large and extended family. She was the family griot and had an encyclopedic knowledge of family history and ancestry. She regaled folks with stories of her formidable maternal grandmother “Granny” who raised her part of her childhood. She told many tales her adventures and travels with Southwestern Christian College Choir. Anybody who was researching family history usually came to Patsy first. After her dementia diagnosis she lamented the fact she gradually forgot so much of the family history.

Growing up Patsy was active in sports, especially basketball. As an adult, she would go to the park and play pickup basketball with her sons Halbert and Cedric at times to keep her game alive. Her face always lit up when she watched girls basketball in person or on TV or watched WNBA/NBA. She could discuss basketball strategy like she was a coach.

Patsy had a great sense of humor, a loving spirit, and a giving manner. She always made a positive impact on anyone she encountered. She had a strong will also! Patsy loved to read the Bible and mystery books, and do puzzles. She learned from her grandmother to be independent and to handle difficult situations without delay, She learned to use all her faculties and resources to succeed no matter what. These were lessons she imparted to her children also,

Patsy worked for over 30 years for the Internal Revenue Service where she was a valuable asset to the Service. She learned public speaking as a member of the IRS chapter of Toastmasters International for several years.

We will all miss her sweet nature and deep love. The family thanks Encompass Health Care, AGE of Central Texas, and Live Oak Assisted Living for their wonderful care of our mother and support provided to the family.

Patsy is preceded in death by her mother Ella Marie (Johnson) Roquemore, her father Andrew Johnson, and son Sir Cedric E. Griffin.

Those left behind to cherish her memory and continue her life legacy are her children, Nephiteria Griffin, Jocelyn Griffin (Joseph Jimenez), Halbert Griffin (Martha Griffin), and Mecia Griffin; grandchildren Frank Christopher Brown (Brianna Brown), Jessica Jimenez (Kenyatta Marshall), Jeremiah Dawson, Joseph P. Jimenez, Jennifer Guillory ( Joseph Guillory), Justin Jimenez, Julia Collins (Arte Collins), Oscar Griffin, Kenya Griffin, Joy Griffin, NaTesha Davis (Dushawn Davis), Endicott McCray (Shante McCray) and 16 great-grandchildren; sisters Bessie Flewellen (Fred Flewellen) and Barbara Roquemore.

In lieu of flowers and in the spirit of helping the community please make a donation or mail your check, made out to “AGE of Central Texas, in memory of Patsy Griffin, 3710 Cedar Street, Box 2, Austin, TX 78705”

Or go to website https://ageofcentraltx.org and select Donate.

A visitation and gathering of family and friends for Patsy will be held Monday, October 11, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Griffin family.