Hazel Dean Griffin

Born on December 17, 1923, in Comanche, Texas, Hazel Dean moved with her family to Austin, Texas where she graduated from Austin High School in 1941. She then entered business school, receiving her diploma in 1942 and earned her Associate Degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1953.

Utilizing her clerical skills, she worked as a secretary at Elgin-Butler Brick Co, secretary to the Commander of Camp Swift during World War II, attendance secretary at Weatherford High School and clerk at Camp Doublecreek.

Hazel Dean married her sweetheart, Joe Griffin, on March 17, 1945. Her love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, was the foundation of her loving, compassionate, selfless spirit which made her perfectly suited to her new role of “pastor’s wife”. Together, she and Joe began their life of ministry serving in churches throughout Texas – Bee Cave Baptist in Austin, Elmont Baptist in Van Alstyne, Fairview Baptist in Sherman, First Baptist in Abernathy and North Side Baptist in Weatherford. And, finally, serving at Kanto plains Baptist, Tokyo, Japan.

Always having a heart for women, Hazel Dean naturally became a leader in the women’s ministry of every church in which Joe pastored and made an extraordinary investment of her time and talents in the lives of women and girls. She taught women’s Sunday School classes and Bible studies, led in the Woman’s Missionary Union and Girl’s Auxiliary and taught English to Japanese moms. Hazel Dean also had a ministry of hospitality. She loved entertaining and opened her home to countless missionaries, evangelists, church members and staff, and anyone in need.

Hazel Dean loved her family and was the heart of their home. She loved unconditionally, taught through her consistent example and “trained up her children in the way they should go”. She was an avid gardener and deeply appreciated the beauty of God’s creation.

Hazel Dean’s life was multifaceted – wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmommy, pastor’s wife, secretary, teacher, counselor, confidant, friend – but, in all things, she served Christ. She lived with J-O-Y. J-esus first. O-thers second. Y-ourself last.

Hazel Dean is survived by her children, Les Griffin (Betty), Joe Griffin, Jr (Susan) and Janis Reeder (Philip); grandchildren Emily Davis (Wally), Nathan Griffin (Valerie), Naomi Nelson (Tony) and Griffin Reeder (Dara); and 10 great-grandchildren, John Ryan, Brittany and Tiffany Davis, Carter, Miles, Grant and Kyla Griffin, Brelynn and Reed Nelson. Hazel Dean was preceded in death by her adoring husband of 73 years, Dr. Joe R Griffin, parents, Lee and Ruth Lester and siblings Bettie Lee Rasmusen and Carter Lester.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. Gifts will be collected by First Baptist Church Round Rock. Please designate “Memorial gift for Hazel Dean Griffin." Gifts can be sent by mail, 306 Round Rock Avenue, Round Rock TX 78664 (512-255-3454) or online at www.fbcrr.org/give.