Betty Ann (born Betty Ann Thomas) was welcomed into the world on August 6, 1937 to Laura Kate and Clayton Thomas, who were farmers. Born in Broadway, North Carolina, she was the first of five children. Betty Ann grew up with the tradition of going to church and having family dinner every Sunday. After Sunday dinner, all the children would be sent to a matinee so that the parents could go home to rest.
Betty Ann graduated from East Carolina University in 1958 (after 3 years) with a degree in early childhood education. Her teaching career began in Charlotte, then she moved on to Durham, where she met her husband, Lee Griffin, who was a resident in pathology at Duke University Hospital. After getting married in 1962 in Sanford, N.C. they moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Lee was serving as a pathologist at Wright Patterson Air Force Base Hospital. She continued teaching in the Kettering School District in Ohio. The next move was to Richmond, Va. where she taught at Ginter Park School.
Eventually, they moved to Petersburg, where Lee was employed as a pathologist at Petersburg General Hospital. She gave birth to three children in Petersburg. The first child died shortly after birth. The second child was a son, Brant, and the third child was a daughter, Laura. Their first home there was in Colonial Heights and they later moved to an 1830s house in downtown Petersburg, where they lived until Laura was born.
In 1993, Lee and Betty Ann retired to Williamsburg, VA. During her retirement years, Betty Ann enjoyed her days playing tennis, gardening, traveling and spending time with friends and family. She always left a positive and lasting impression on everyone she met. She is already deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Lee Griffin, her sister, Adelle Bradley in Desert Hot Springs, CA, her son Brant Griffin, who lives in Las Vegas, NV and a host of cousins in North Carolina.
As she requested, there will be no memorial service. Her friends and loved ones will hold memories of her in their hearts. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society or your preferred charity.
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