Estelle Theresa Clark Griffin passed away Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at the cherished age of 101.
She was born in St. Marys on Sept. 9, 1915. She was the second daughter of Essie Delaney Clark and Frank James Clark, and had three siblings who predeceased her, James, Joseph and Ellen. She was also a second cousin to Emma B. Delaney of Fernandina, the first African-American female missionary to Africa, and she was great-granddaughter of Thomas Sterling Delaney, Fernandina’s first African-American registrar of voters during Reconstruction. She was also a second cousin of centenarians Bessie and Sadie Delaney, authors of the best-selling book Having Our Say. She attended public schools in St. Marys and Fernandina.
Mrs. Griffin was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Theodore Griffin of St. Marys. They moved to Closter, N.J., in 1939, where they raised their family and lived and worked on the estate of New York business investor Donald Flamm, where they managed the grounds and social preparations for 44 years. Upon retirement, she and her husband lived with her daughter on Long Island, N.Y., until his death. She and her daughter retired to Fernandina in 1991.
She was known as a sweet and loving lady, radiant with warmth, good nature, charm and class. She loved flowers, gardening, cooking, good books and playing hymns on the piano. She cherished her life with family and friends in St. Marys, New Jersey and Fernandina. She was an active member of Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Closter and Macedonia AME Church in Fernandina for many years. She was known for doing unto others better that she would have them do unto her.
Mrs. Griffin leaves to mourn, her children, Dolores Covington and Ted Griffin of Fernandina, Iris Smith (Ben) of Middletown, N.Y., and Carrie Atkinson Thompson of Sunrise, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Dawnne Roberts (James), Ben Smith Jr. (Tracy), Courtney Smith, Barbara Thompson, Mary Jones, Jackie Carlos (Bill), Mark Thompson and Donald Thompson (Delia); 10 great-grandchildren, Tiffanie Smith, Gregory Smith, Heather Smith, Eric Smith, G.B. Smith, Sylvia Jones, Corey Thompson, Carey Alhassan, Justin Carlos and Donald Thompson Jr.; two great-great-grandchildren, Kameren Lea and Korey Lea; a dear sister-in-law, Muriel Clark of Bronx, N.Y.; a long loving list of nieces, nephews and cousins; Mrs. Elayne Flamm, Gary and Molly Flamm, and the remaining dear members of the Flamm family.
Her family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Oxley-Heard. Funeral services will follow at noon Saturday, March 4, at Macedonia AME Church of Fernandina, with the Rev. Anthony Daniel presiding. Mrs. Griffin will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.
Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors