Clarice Griffin

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8 GRIFFIN, Rev. Clarice of Dallas, born July 4, 1938, in Dallas, TX. went to be with the Lord on Friday April 7, 2006 at home peacefully surrounded by her family.Through her battle with cancer she always stayed the course and kept the faith knowing she was in the Lord's hands. She was a Godly lady who raised her children to love Jesus. She was used by God in her ministry and worked beside her husband, Billy, doing God's work.She was a beloved Christian woman who honored God, church and family. She was a wonderful wife, momma, grandmomma and great grandmomma.She was a beautiful lady of eloquence and dignity and known far and wide for her distinctive laugh and ready smile.She was "momma" to many friends in churches over several states.She was her husband's best friend and she will be greatly missed by both family and friends. Preceded in death by son, John Mark Griffin; 10 brothers & 1 sister. Survived by husband of 52 years & 9 months, Billy Griffin; sons, Clinton Griffin & wife, Ruth of San Leandro, CA., Danny Griffin & wife, Cindy of Mesquite, TX,, Ken Griffin & wife, Jennifer of Coppell, TX., Paul Griffin & wife, Colleen of Mesquite, TX.; daughter, Michelle Roberts & husband, David of Mesquite, TX.; grandchildren, Jessica Michael & Jeffrey Griffin, Tony, Christy & Ashley Griffin, Courtney, Taylor, Morgan & Shelby Griffin, Kaci & Cassidee Griffin, Clarissa & Michael Roberts, Joshua & Sarah Griffin; great grandchildren, Zion & Malakai Michael.Also survived by sister, Mary Lou Chaplin. Service will be 11:00AM Wednesday April 12, 2006 @ First Assembly of God, 422 S. Ebrite, Mesquite, TX. 75149. Visitation will be Monday & Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Moma, Its not even been a full 24 hours since you passed away.Although the reality of it hasn't hit me yet. I walked by your room last night still looking in to check on you.It was a strange feeling you not being here.I kept thinking when all this is over and it calms down then I can talk to you. Tell you about everything that's going on and laugh with you.My mind knows you have gone home to be with the Lord but my heart hasn't accepted it yet.I keep thinking I will be talking to you in a few days.Reality will be hard for me. I know the last few years were tough on you.I tried to walk beside you and help you as much as possible since I was unable to carry your burden.I wanted to try and make life easy on you.Although that was impossible for anyone to do.It was hard seeing the change in you over time.I think of all the nights I spent at the hospital with you since you didn't like being alone.I never minded spending my nights at the hospital playing games on my phone or reading just waiting for you to just whisper my name so I could get up and help you or just talk to you.I would gladly spend more nights at the hospital if I could still have you with me.Your doctors and nurses knew me almost as well as they knew you.They also knew I would do battle if I thought they weren't taking good care of you. Of course I would reward them if they were good to you.Everyone at the cancer center liked seeing us come in, I would have homemade snacks to pass around.I always told them if they're good to Moma then I will be good to them.I remember our picnics when you would be having chemotherapy. I guess we were just a bit strange having a picnic around the chemo chair but daddy and I wanted to be with you. I think back to the past few months when I would lay on the bed with you and we would just talk and laugh.We even got to eat pizza in bed with you.That was the night you said you would be nice to us.Or when you had Clarissa "sneak" popcorn or candy in your room for us to eat.Just being with you was what became most important to me.I wanted to make sure I would remember everything about you. I remember Friday was shopping day you needed to find a good sale actually you preferred clearances. You would buy something at a good price even if you couldn't always use it, like 12-inch light bulbs. When Clarissa and Michael came along they joined in with the shopping. I they hey thought they were gypsies. Sometimes I think Clarissa's first word was clearance.We just had the right system to getting our stuff and both kids in their car seats faster than most people could get in their cars and move.With Easter being so close I see those marshmallow eggs we bothloved.It makes me think of when we would be out shopping and buy a carton of them.I think we would have them ate before we were off the parking lot. I wonder if we ever even shared those with the kids. I know I will miss you deeply.Life will never be the same.I will find strength to carry on but it will be hard.I will miss calling you when I find a bargain or just picking up the phone to see what's going on. I will miss your voice.I will miss picking on Daddy with you or Daddy and me picking on you which you always said we ganged up on you.I will miss your smile and your laugh. You went through a battle none of us had ever been through and you remained strong. You were my example of strength.I hope I made you as proud of me as I am of you.You were a role model for me in raising my kids and being a Christian woman. Most of all Moma, I will remember you being my best friend. I love you and will deeply miss your presence in my life. Your daughter, Michelle Angels on Earth Thank you God For Angels on earth, That take care of the home And take care of the hearth. This Angel is here Sent from up above To watch over me carefully And fill me with love. I know at different times This Angel takes my hand, And holds me tightly And helps me to stand. I know that this Angel Has been on her knees Thank You for listening To all of her pleas. I want to thank You For all the prayers Sent from an Angel That really cares. I know at times I feel an Angels touch. It is so special And means so much. Thank you God for The Angels heart That is full of love And will never depart. I know at times I hear From an Angels lips She says that she loves me Even when I slip. This Angel is very special I know she's from above, It is my mother That fills me with love. Thank you God for An Angel of a mother That is a special friend Like no other. - Michelle Roberts MEMORIES OF MOM To My Mom Clarice Griffin From Her Son, Clint Griffin We never know how long will someone will be with us.Too often we don't communicate our thoughts and memories. Mom is sick.We don't know when the Lord will call her home.God can create a miracle or choose to send the angelic escort.I don't know.All I know is that either way her pain and suffering will end.As I think about Mom many random thoughts come into my mind. I remember Mom tending to bruised knees and egos.I remember the years traveling when our home was a car. Nothing can ever replace the memories of going from city to city as Dad ministered.It was her way of keeping the family together.Family was the key for Mom. There was never any doubt that her life was her family. I remember her steadfast insistence on the importance of education. I remember her pride when the last of her children graduated from High School. I remember the day I got selected to the National Honor Society and the joy she had - it was almost as if the recognition of my hard work was hers also and it was. I remember the kiss and tears as I left for Army boot camp and begin to move into the new phase of my life.I remember her first impressions of Ruth, my wife.I remember the day of my wedding and the fun we had on clean up.I remember the following day when we visited and the laughter we shared as we related our wedding night.I remember the look in her eyes when I left to return to Arizona with my wife to begin a new life.I remember going home on leave from Pennsylvania and seeing the joy she had at seeing us and how it energized even our tired bodies. I remember Mom holding her first grandchild - my daughter, Jessica .I remember the trips she and Dad made to Oklahoma to visit us and see her. I can even now see her holding Jessica wrapped tightly in her blankets. I remember the look of love she directed toward Jeff, my son, on his birth.I remember the joy she had at the birth of her first great-grandchild - my grandson Zion even though we were so far away.She was always so excited to hear the next chapter in his life - coming home from the hospital, his first step, first word.Then we had another grandson and she was just as joyful. I remember Mom asking when we would move back home and live.I remember her finally realizing we had made our home in California.I remember it being a sad time for Mom.Not because she wasn't happy but that we would be so far away.I remember her deep grief at the death of her son, John.I remember her concern when Dad got really sick with the coli virus.It was all she could do to hold herself together for Dad is her anchor in a sea of chaos.I remember the joy she shared on their many trips for ministry.I remember her stories of the ministry trips and all that God had done and all the joy she shared with their friends. I remember the first Mother's Day when Ruth and I surprised her with a visit. I remember the 50th Anniversary celebration and all the joy we had as we reflected on so many years of god's faithfulness.I remember the holidays - Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc. - and how each one was so special.I remember the games nights when I was young.I remember Monopoly, Rummy and all the games we played as a family.I remember Saturday nights and the chaotic fun we had. I remember dinner at the bar.The kids would hurry and eat the first heaping because there never seemed to be enough for all of us to have seconds - growing boys you know.I remember the birth of Joy Michelle and how God had finally answered the prayer for a girl.I remember the church services when Dad was the pastor.The gum came out of the mouth and if we moved too much her finger nails found the soft spot of our arm. Most of all I remember lots of laughter, fun, a passion for life, pride in the accomplishment of all her children. Sure there might have been some down times but I remember most the good times we shared.Mom is always there with her word and sometimes we might not want to hear but later it made sense.Mom is truly a great mother and I am truly blessed to have been her son. Mom you, along with Dad, are my hero.You followed your heart and calling in ministry paying the price God desired.I appreciate everything you have done for me, although I have not said it, as I should.I hope someday that my life will imitate the life you lived - a life that brought a spark to others and honor to God. Mom, you are truly a Proverbs 31 mother.I pray that as this chapter of your life closes and another opens that you remember you have had an impact on those around you.Mom, I love you and truly am blessed because you were my mom. The tears that fall as one chapter is closed and another is opened are not tears of grief or guilt.They are tears of sadness as the shared memories between Mom and me will not be enlarged but only repeated from one generation to another.