Merle Lee Griffith

On Monday May 29, 2023 the Lord saw fit to call home, His good and faithful servant, Merle Lee Johnson Griffith, 85 of Owensboro. Merle was born November 28, 1937 to the late Robert Norris Johnson and Mary Marie Rapier Johnson Morton.

Merle retired from the former Field Packing Company as a facility operator.

Merle was a former member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the senior choir, finance committee, usher board, and Green River Valley District Association Usher Board Chairperson.

She established membership at Fourth Street Baptist Church where she was the senior and junior usher board president, youth director, member of the Voices of Faith Choir, financial membership chairperson, and adult women’s Sunday School class teacher.

At the time of her death, she was a member of Zion Baptist Church where she was the instructor of the Women’s Adult Study Group until her health declined.

Merle enjoyed keeping a clean and organized home, tracing the Johnson family tree, studying the Bible, taking photos, and her favorite pastime, watching professional tennis tournaments.
Merle was a joy to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Elmo Griffith, Jr; Sisters, Shirley Hatchett Holbrook, Nel Verna McCreary; and brothers, William L Johnson, Herman Johnson, and James “Jimmy” Johnson.

She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Griffith, Sr (Antoinette Tillery) and Justin Wayne Griffith (Phoebe James); four grandchildren, Eric Griffith, Jason Griffith, Chanise Griffith Tumlin, and Bruce Griffith, Jr; six great-grandchildren, Brittany Griffith, Kianna Griffith, Marella Griffith, Katelyn May, Enisha Tumlin, and Zion Tumlin; two great-great-grandchildren, Caylee Benton and Zyair Alpann; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Of note are special nieces Sue Nel Frierson, Dr Diane Hatchett, Monique Moorman, and special nephew Johnny Brice.

Funeral services to honor the life of Merle Griffith will be 11:00am June 12, 2023 at Zion Baptist Church, 2311 W 9th St, Owensboro with Pastor Larry Lewis officiating. Visitation will be 4-6pm on Sunday June 11, 2023 at McFarland Funeral Home, 1001 W 5th St, Owensboro and Monday June 12 from 10am until time of the service at the church. Burial will follow the service at Rosehill-Elmwood cemetery in Owensboro.