Emogene B. Griffin

Mattie Emogene (Gene) Bolling Griffin was born "near midnight" on December 24, 1930 in Pound, Virginia. She was the seventh child, and the only daughter of Owen Bolling and Nellie (Mullins) Bolling. Her six brothers, Harlis, Henry (Ernest), Elmer, Claude, Ellis, and Glenn, were sent to a neighbor's house to wait for her birth.

In 1951, Gene graduated from East Tennessee State College with a major in chemistry. She wanted to work at Y-12 in Oak Ridge, but because she was only twenty years old, she could not get a security clearance. She worked as a lab technician at St. Mary's Hospital. In 1953, she reached her goal; she was employed to work in the labs at Y-12. For years, she worked on projects she could not discuss.

On October 23, 1952, Gene and Hugh A. Griffin married. Their sixty-one years of marriage was full of service to others. She sang alto in her church choirs and taught Sunday School classes, particularly adult classes, for many years. She was active in the Ball Camp Community Club. She was a poll worker in the local, state, and national elections. Hugh's work in law enforcement gave her awareness of the many misfortunes and needs of others. She carried that knowledge with the same integrity that was required in her work at Y-12.

They also developed an interest in Tennessee Walking Horses. Both showed and Hugh also trained. This activity led to participation in many shows in the region and annual trips to The Celebration. Although they had many horses, Self Made Man was her favorite.

In retirement, Gene found time to pursue song writing. She was a member of the local songwriting club and ASCAP. Through song writing, she was able to blend her interest in music and storytelling with her philosophy in life. Three weeks before her death, she received one of several small royalties checks from ASCAP. The recognition that someone had chosen to use her lyrics would have pleased her.

Surviving Gene is her niece, Carol B. Yoakley-Terrell and nephews, Stephen E. Bolling and Franklin O. Bolling. Also surviving are her eight grand-nieces and six grand-nephews, as well as their children.

Services for her will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at Berry Highland West Funeral Home and Cemetery, 9913 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932. The visitation begins at 1:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM, and entombment to follow.