E. Catherine Griffin's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Emily Catherine Griffin, age 86 of Charleston, passed away while at her Gowin Parc residence on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Graveside Services honoring and celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the Edgar Cemetery in Paris, Illinois with Reverend Pat Murphy officiating. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to First Baptist Church in Charleston, Vanderbilt University Children's Cancer Center or to a charity of the donor's preference. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Catherine was born on March 27, 1928 in Paris, IL, a daughter of the late Samuel and Minnie (Smith) Doak. She married Raymond Griffin on Valentine's Day in 1948 and the celebrated 56 years of friendship and marriage prior to his death on June 4, 2004. She is survived by their children: David Ray Griffin of Mt. Juliet, TN, Stephen Michael Griffin and wife Alice of Charleston, Janice Kay (Griffin) Tibbs of Highland, CA; 7 grandchildren, Michelle Rowland of Mt. Juliet, TN, Melissa Morgan and husband Steve of Smyrna, TN, Tonya Green and husband Michael of Kingman, AZ, Jon Tibbs of Highland, CA, Seth Griffin, Tristan Griffin and Braeden Griffin, all of Charleston; 6 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Hailey and Shawn Morgan, Kenneth and Kelsey Green and Cassie Bean-Rowland; two sisters, Frances Webb of Kansas, IL, Margaret "Peggy" Pantle of San Antonio, TX; a brother, Sam Doak and wife Peggy of Rock Island, IL; and several nieces and nephews. Catherine was also preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Bean. Catherine was a 1946 graduate of Paris High School and received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. She was an elementary school teacher in the Paris, IL School District for 5 years, in the Oakland, IL School District for 9 years and in the Charleston, IL School District for 21 years, retiring in 1989. She held membership in both the Illinois and Coles County Retired Teachers Associations. Catherine was a woman of faith and a long time devoted member of First Baptist Church in Charleston. Her faith was her guide in living life and she always treated others with loving kindness and compassion. She enjoyed traveling, even if the destinations included Raymond's passion for rockhounding, and spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens. From the time she was a young girl Catherine had a passion for horses and horseback riding that continued through her adult life. They owned Morgan horses and wherever her travels took her she could always find another horse-lover to talk with. Catherine also enjoyed quilting and serving as a Pioneer Volunteer at Lincoln Log Cabin State Park. Catherine always placed her faith and family first and shared a special relationship with her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a special teacher by her students and a loving and faithful servant of God by her family and many friends. Catherine's family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff of Gowin Parc for their exceptional kind and tender care.Click here to Catherine's memorial video.
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