Nov. 21, 1927 — Nov. 13, 2016

Betty L. Griffin, 88, died at home in Edwardsburg with family present on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. She had been under treatment for two different blood disorders for nearly three years.

Betty was born in Ralls County, Missouri, on Nov. 21, 1927, to Beatrice and Perry Jones. She was the oldest of three siblings, all of whom were girls.

She married Harold L. Griffin on Feb. 18, 1951, in Liberal, Kansas. They had five children: Robin (Kevin) English, Randy Griffin, Ronda (Bill) Fahey, Rita (Stan) Bolle and William Griffin. She is survived by all of her children; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and  her sister, Ida Bumpus of Elkhart, Indiana.

Her husband passed away on Aug. 28, 1987. Her parents and one sister, Dora Crisler of Cassopolis, also preceded her in death.

After her youngest child was in school full-time, Betty attended Bethel College and received a Bachelor of Arts. She taught second grade in the Edwardsburg School District from 1971 to 1987. She loved teaching, but took a leave of absence in 1987 to be with her husband after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. After his death she retired from teaching. She also worked as the Edwardsburg reporter for the Elkhart Truth for a period of time, attending various board meetings and social events and gathering Edwardsburg news for the paper, including obituaries.

Betty was an active member of Hope United Methodist Church until she became too ill to attend.

Friends and family may gather from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, at Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road, Edwardsburg. A Christian funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. immediately following visitation. The Rev. Brenda Gordon, formerly of Edwardsburg, will officiate. Interment in the Edwardsburg Cemetery will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Hope United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are by Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home in Edwardsburg.