Betty JoAnn Griffin, age 86, died peacefully in her sleep at home on Friday, April 17, 2015. “Jo”, as known by all her friends (and “Honey” by her family), lived in Mabank Texas for the past 30 years. She was born on November 9, 1928 in Canton (Phalba) Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Charles “Lester” Griffin (of Mabank), her eldest son, Denny Charles Griffin, her only sibling, Ginger Ruth Jones, and her parents, Clarence and Thelma Mangan. She is survived by four children; daughter - Paula Griffin Harper and husband Lee (Murphy, TX); son – John Jay Griffin and wife Kim (Canton, TX); daughter – Toni Griffin Mannello and husband Gary (Kemp, TX); and daughter – LeAnn Griffin Pickitt and husband Pat (Gilmer, TX); sister in law – Claudine Goodwin (Dallas), 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandson, and countless nephews, nieces and cousins. Jo was very proud of their large family and loved many years of planning family dinners and holiday gatherings. Jo and Lester moved to Dallas in 1945, where they worked and reared their five children until moving to Mabank around 1985. Jo’s career included working for over 20 years in the children’s department at Neiman Marcus, followed by 15 years as the dietician and cook at the Children’s Development Center in Dallas. She was deeply involved in both Lochwood Baptist Church of Dallas and First Baptist Church of Mabank, in planning and preparing church dinners, weddings, and special events. She loved to cook and in celebrations of Mabank’s sesquicentennial celebration, she chaired the production of “Cooking With Mama”, a cookbook of family recipes from folks in and around Mabank. The Griffin’s also owned and operated Hometown Grocery store on Market Street in Mabank for 10 years. Jo was an avid quilter and a charter member of Gun Barrel Quilters' Guild since its inception in 1992. She was a very active, hard-working member who participated in many projects for charitable organizations over the years. She also worked with the Nifty Needles since 1992, a small group that started within the Guild, where she quilted on fundraising raffle quilts as well as other members' personal quilts. Once the quilting bug bit her all those years ago she was committed 100%, and she loved spending time creating works of art with fabric, needle and thread. Through the years, she made quilts for all of her children and the majority of her grandchildren, which will be a legacy they can treasure for years to come. The Eubanks Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. A visitation is scheduled there on Thursday, April 23 from 6 – 8 pm. The funeral will be held at First Baptist Church of Mabank on Friday, April 24 at 10:30 am. Pall bearers are Jo’s grandsons, Jason Griffin, John Griffin, Weston Roach, Jacob Broussard, Bryce Roach, and Brady Griffin. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of VNA Hospice for their care and presence. They request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the VNA Hospice (Visiting Nurses Association). East Texas Branch 874 Ed Hall Drive, Suite 105 Kaufman, TX 75142 or directly at www.VNATexas.org
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