Mrs. Flora Gail Patterson Griffin was born in Iredell County on July 22, 1944, to the late Albert Gaither and Lorene Patterson Houston. She passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023.
She was adopted and raised by the late George Hampton Brown, Fannie Wood Brown and Beulah Brown. She was married to the late Robert Edward “Bobby” Griffin.
“Ms. Flo,” as she was affectionally called, attended Unity High School and was a member of the Class of 1963. She worked at Trailblazers/Hedricks for many years, until going into childcare with her sister Frances Wilkins. For over 40 years, she worked in the Statesville Community providing child care at Ruthie’s Day Care Center, Interfaith Deliverance and Little Folks School. As a faithful member of St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church, Ms. Flo worked in numerous committees which included the Missionary Circle, the Senior Choir, Pastor’s Aid, Usher Board, the Sunday School Department, Hospitality Committee and the Secret Pal Club. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, shopping and cooking.
In addition to her parents and adopted parents, Ms. Flo was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny Gaither and his wife Shirley, and Carl Brown; two sisters, Frances Wilkins and her husband Willie, and Josephine Parks and her husband David; a special niece, Pamela Currence; and a special nephew, Tyree Dalton; her mother-in-law, Mae Lois Griffin; her father-in-law, Esby Griffin; and two brothers-in-law, Silas Harris and Vicky Griffin.
She leaves to cherish the memory of her life, four children, Chris (Debra) Griffin, Derrick Griffin, Robin Griffin and Trivia (Eric) Sharpe; five brothers, Richard (Shirley) Johnson of Clemmons, Jessie (Lisa) Brown of Taylorsville, Johnny (Mary) Brown of Charlotte, Samuel (Deneva) Brown of Waldolf, Md., and David Brown of Statesville; three sisters, Lavida Harris, Elaine Heaggans and Georgellen Brown, all of Statesville; five grandchildren, Nakayla (Tony) Griffin, Jadan (Willie) Griffin, Alexia (Montez) Griffin, Shaniya Griffin and Adam Sharpe; four great grandchildren, Makenna Grace Griffin Byers, Madison Faith Griffin Byers, Macie Love and MaKenzie Studevent; three step grandchildren, Saquan Sharpe, Juwan Sharpe, and Kendall Jackson; ten step great grand children; three brothers-in-law, Winford (Ann) Griffin of Statesville, Earnest (Emma) Griffin of Stony Point and Dwight Griffin of Morganton; six sisters-in-law, Sheridean (Pete) Jackson of Palatka, Fla., Joyce Gause of Wilmington, Nancy Slater of Charlotte, Janice Oakley, Betty Griffin and Sylvia W. Thomas, all of Statesville; a daughter-in-law, Leslie Satterfield; two god daughters, Jennifer Stokes and Tamiko (Dawn) Watts Brown; special cousins and nieces, Betty McClelland, Lillian Rucker, Barbara Scott, Marilyn Scott, Crystal Scott, Francine McCullough, Robin Tomlin, Phyllis Perrin, Ernestine Perrin, Louise Turner, Charre Currence, Felicia Holmes and Pollie Griffin; special friends, Betty Barmes, Carol Henry, Pamela White, Vivian Brawley and Stella Watts; bonus daughters/sons/granddaughter, Tracy Glascoe, Cheryl Sibert, Lisa Pearson, Freda Henry, Bridget Watson, Aerielle Sibert, Tammy Fraley, LaSonya Tuttle, Sharon Campbell, Nakeeta Sharpe, Brad Houpe and James Lewis; and her Caregiver, Latoya Oberby; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Christian Outreach of the Piedmont Church at 2 pm. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 to 2 p.m.
Rutledge and Bigham Mortuary is serving the Griffin family. Visit the Book of memories for Flora Gail Patterson Griffin at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.