Dorothy Griffin

Dorothy Jean Guest Griffin, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Saturday, the 12th of April 2025, and she entered her eternal home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was 98 years of age.

Dorothy was born on the 17th of March 1927, and grew up in Taft, Texas. Her family moved to San Antonio during her high school years. She graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in accounting. She married her college sweetheart, James Brown Griffin on the 11th of June 1949, and they made their home in Houston. She was proud to have passed the CPA exam upon graduating and worked on a part-time basis for a CPA during tax seasons. In 1970, Dorothy began a twenty-eight-year career in the tax department at Arthur Andersen & Co. Her lengthy career also included employment at the McNair Group, Ames Oil & Gas, and Stevens & Matthews LLP. Dorothy loved her work, her work colleagues, and her clients. The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy acknowledged Dorothy as the oldest practicing CPA in the state of Texas on her 90th birthday.

Dorothy will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and neighbors. Her love for them was generous, sacrificial, and impactful. She and James prioritized God, family, and their church. They were dedicated members and active leaders at South Main Baptist Church. Dorothy served as the Director of the Girls’ Auxiliary for decades, she taught Kindergarten Sunday School for sixty-eight years, and she served as a church deacon and on various church committees among other leadership roles. Dorothy had a love for entertaining – hosting parties for family, friends, and church groups often. She was famous for her delicious homemade cinnamon rolls. She enjoyed bridge club with family friends, birthday lunches with a special group of girlfriends, cheering for her UT Longhorns & Houston Astros, family gatherings, and summer vacations at their beloved Texarado Cabin in Jamestown, Colorado.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her ten-year-old daughter, Gail; son, Thad; and her loving husband of fifty-nine years, James.

She is survived by her children, Jimmy Griffin and Lucy Barnard of Houston; Jana and Mac Irwin of Dallas; Debbie and Byron Bexley of San Antonio; Donna Griffin Grehn and her husband Chuck of Houston; and Alyson and Dobie Weise of Jackson, Tennessee.

She also is survived by sixteen grandchildren, Madison Lashley (Dexter), Miles Griffin (Becca), and Paris McCloskey (Jason); Conor Irwin (Kalyn), Caroline McAnally (Hunter), and Cole Irwin; Kristin McWilliams (Justin), Tyler Bexley (Louise), Justin Bexley (Laura), Jamison Bexley (Sereena); Riley Griffin, Callie Griffin; Jeremy Weise (Kate), Daniel Weise (Kelly), Kate Newman (Matt), and Trey Weise (Megan).

Dorothy also is survived by her twenty-five great-grandchildren, Boone Lashley; Mae Dorothy Griffin, and Lucy Kate Guest McCloskey; Grayson, Elliot and Campbell James Irwin; Reese and Blakely McAnally; Griffin, Macy and Mallory McWilliams; Hunter and Charlie Bexley; Anna Bexley; Neela Bexley; Zaria, Anthony and Gabriel Weise; River and Sierra Weise; Evie, Peter and Abigail Newman; Charlie and Olive Weise. She also is survived by her brother, Joe Guest of San Antonio; and nephews, Gary Guest (Debra), and Todd Guest (Rebecca).

The family is very grateful for the loving care provided by Portia Eaglin, Dorothy’s in-home caregiver of four years, and Blue Star Hospice.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until half-past seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 24th of April, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service to celebrate Dorothy’s life is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 25th of April in the Westmoreland Chapel at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street in Houston, where Rev. Matt Walton is to officiate.

Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at a venue announced during the service.

Prior to the service, the family will gather for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

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