Tammy D. Griffin-Rice

The Warrior Queen 


On February 10, 2024, Tammy joined the ancestors while surrounded by her family. Our Warrior Queen was born January 15th, 1960 to Saint Elmo Griffin, II and Mary Louise (Bergeron) Griffin in Milwaukee, WI. The middle of three (Saint Elmo III & Rita), Tammy grew up in a loving home on N. 19th & W. Meinecke Street where her fondest memories was the family barbecues and homemade ice cream from her Aunt Elhura. Though she was a quiet child, her and her sister, Rita, would often walk down the alley to go to Kohl’s food store and were known for being well dressed.

With the union of her husband that began on August 15th, 1981 her three daughters were born. Tamneeka Louise Lightford, Portia Jean Greogory, and Olivia Darnell Rice-Bond. Tammy has five grandchildren: Tamiya Lightford, Tripp Lightford, Skylar Gregory, Journee Gregory, and Legend Bond. Tammy has always been at the center of her family. She enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas with extended family and friends. We could always count on Tammy’s famous homemade German chocolate cake on the table. It was the best in this world! Tammy’s heart was unmatched. She was a wonderful gift giver. So much so, she gave her three daughters her best friends the best gift ever as being Godmother to her precious daughters.

She began her education at Milwaukee Public School 20th Street School. However, she completed her elementary education at St. Rita Catholic School. She graduated from Messmer High School and enjoyed being a part of the cheer team. Upon finishing high school, Tammy went on to attend University Wisconsin Milwaukee studying early childhood education. After finishing her Bachelor’s she then continued on to get her Masters’ degree in Education from National-Louis University in 2000. As a mom to three daughters, Tammy held various positions such as Model, Realtor, helped run an in-home daycare, but her most beloved job started when she began her career as a public-school teacher. She was a teacher for 20 years in the Milwaukee Public School system until she retired in 2015. She taught numerous grades but really enjoyed 2nd graders the most.

Queen Tammy and Orlando Rice became members of Christ the King Baptist Church in 1992. They stayed active members with their three daughters, and all were baptized at the hands of Reverend John Wesley McVicker, Sr. Queen Tammy was a member of the hospitality committee while also helping with the breast cancer committee at Christ the King Baptist Church. During COVID, Queen Tammy was excited to learn that now CTK was streaming their services. Tammy and Orlando would watch Pastor McVicker (Milwaukee, WI) first and then Victory Baptist Church, (Las Vegas, NV) after.

Inspired by the passion to educate the youth and giving back to the community, Tammy was initiated into the Eta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc on the campus of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee on April 11, 1981. Sisterhood, scholarship and service are the three pillars of the organization and Tammy truly embodied those pillars by becoming a life member. After graduation she joined the Gamma Phi Sigma Graduate chapter, there she held the position of Basileus from 1996 through 2000. Serving in various roles in both the Las Vegas and Milwaukee Alumnae chapters. As a Milwaukee alumnae leader, she mentored advisors, and served as a true Sigma mom. She was a charter member of Sigma legacy fund a 501C3. It awards scholarships and the funds programing make a positive impact in the Milwaukee area community that we live, work and worship in. Tammy was a member of the famous ‘Old school 6 pack’ a name affectionally given to the senior members and mentors of the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter. Her achievements in Sigma are local, and regional. She was appointed as the Central Region Awards and Achievement Chair in 2003. After relocating to Las Vegas, she continued to serve Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She was a charter member of Mu Rho Sigma Chapter in 2018. As a member of Mu Rho Sigma, and Life member Tammy went back to her true passion for educating the youth and became Co-Advisor of the Rosebud Club. An affiliate group of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She served proudly on campaigns and strategy sessions for our emerging leaders, most notably the current International Grand Basileus, Rasheeda Liberty. Her love of Sigma legacy will continue through her two youngest daughters, Soror Portia Gregory and Soror Olivia Rice-Bond and continues to grow with her first-born granddaughter Tamiya Lightford becoming a Rhoer. Greater Service, Greater Program.

Tammy was an extremely talented woman, she was a seamstress, she would often make her daughter’s school clothes and holiday dresses. Tammy has been a faithful member of the Faithbooking Ministry at Victory Baptist Church where she became a member in November 2015. She has blessed the members of the congregation and community with her beautiful hand-crafted cards. Faithbooking is a means to express our faith and a journey of faith. It is also a way to remember God’s faithfulness and presence in our lives. Thru her thoughts, prayers, blessing to others, times of laughter and photos, Tammy has left a legacy of love of her spiritual journey in the Faithbooking ministry for her husband, daughters and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather(s), Anatole Bergeron; Saint “Elmo” Buddy Griffin, Sr., her grandmother(s), Florence Bergeron; Ruthe Mae Mcdade, her parents Saint Elmo Griffin II; Mary Louise (Bergeron) Griffin; James Edward Rice(Father in Law); her brother Saint Elmo Griffin III; and her granddaughter Seanna Tammy Gregory.

She leaves behind her King, the love of her life her husband Orlando Cedric Rice, with whom she built a life and family with over 42 plus years. Tammy’s most proud accomplishment in life is the legacy of their three daughters, Tamneeka Louise Rice Lightford (Demarlo II), Portia Jean Gregory (Dishone), Olivia Darnell Bond (Bionca), she was so extremely proud of her grandchildren, Tamiya Sanai Lightford, Demarlo “Tripp” Lightford III, Skylar Olivia Gregory, Journee Seanna Gregory, Legend James Bond, she leaves behind a host of family and friends which includes her sister Rita Griffin, Gwendolyn L. Rice(Mother in Law) and the surviving Bergeron, Griffin, and McDade family.

Expressions To My Friend

To my family and friends

We are connected by time and by love…we don’t have control over time but our love for each other will never end…my heart aches because I can’t take this pain away, but I know that God has got you! This day I can say and do know that we are Forever…forever friends! I am grateful to you for our friendship…no matter how long between our calls or texts we always pick up from last time never missing a beat. So to my forever friends...whom I love dearly...You mean the world to me and just having you in my life is most definitely God’s plan…I cherish our friendship...Love you! Tammy

A visitation for Tammy will be held Friday, February 23, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129. A Celebration of Life will occur Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Palm Northwest Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131. A repast will occur Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Palm Northwest Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131.

**For the celebration of life for our Queen Tammy we are requesting bright colored attire..no black please