Mildred Evans Griffin, 82, daughter of Henry and Ida Evans and a resident of Fitzgerald, GA passed away on Monday, September 21 at the home of her daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Gail, Mark and Matthew Matillo in Tallahassee, FL. Funeral services will be 2 PM Thursday, September 24, at Central United Methodist Church in Fitzgerald with Rev. Keith Goodlett and Rev. B.J. Funk officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
A native of Fitzgerald, Mildred grew up surrounded by her six brothers and sisters Dorothy, Frank, Thelma, Lloyd, Lillian and Shirley, her parents and grandparents. Some of her fondest memories were of her childhood, where she and her family always enjoyed being together laughing and caring for one another. She joined Central United Methodist Church when she was six and it was there where she learned the importance of faith and family. She loved her church.
She met the love of her life, Alpha Theodore Griffin while living across the street from him when she was approximately eight years old. He fell out of a tree and broke his arm to get her attention. They began dating when they were in high school, and married soon after he went into the Navy in 1945. She was devoted to her husband and they were married for 49 years before he passed away in 1994 in Bainbridge, GA.
Mildred lived a life rich in love, laughter and with total devotion to her family and friends. She enjoyed life, was full of energy and she treated each day as a new adventure. In 1997, she moved back to Fitzgerald to be closer to her family, Claudia Evans, Lillian Helms and Shirley Thompson.
She never met a stranger and shared her love with everyone she knew. She was not afraid to ask questions or speak up, and one of her greatest joys was attending Sunday school and Bible study each week and preparing food for the Golden Age luncheons. She enjoyed cooking and her peanut brittle will be missed by all. She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and reading. She was an avid shopper and enjoyed traveling to be with her family whenever possible.
Other survivors include a brother, Lloyd Evans of Clermont; a sister-in-law, Sarah Ann Hendley of Ocilla as well as her extended family of nieces and nephews; Jan and Otis Barton, Tifton; Scott and Patty Evans, Marietta; Bill and Marsha Evans, Clermont; Ronnie and Heather Thompson, San Antonio; Mike Evans, Clermont; Lisa and Danny Young, Fitzgerald; Luanne and Mark Dorrell, Denver; Bill and Carolyn Boisselle, Dothan; Knox and Mary Griffin, Guntersville; Henry and Linda Hall, Warner Robbins; Cindy Turner, Brooksville; and Mike Hendley, Ocilla.
The family suggests that memorials be sent to Central United Methodist Church. P.O. Box 428, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.