Terri Lynne Griffith

Terri Lynne Griffith, born on May 22, 1956, in Portland, Oregon, passed away in the same city on March 25, 2025. Known for her radiant smile and infectious sense of humor, Terri was a beloved figure among her family, friends, and community.

Terri attended Grant High School, where she began to forge lifelong friendships and connections. She spent many years working for QFC, where she was appreciated for her ability to build strong relationships with customers, turning many of them into lasting friendships.

Her deep faith was nurtured at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church during her childhood and youth. Terri was an active member of the choir, sharing her gift of song, which brought comfort and joy to many. Later, she joined Albina Christian Life Center, where her love and talents continued to enrich the community.

Terri's personal life was marked by love and devotion to her family. She married Norman Lynn Branch in 1977, with whom she had three children: Manson, Chanika, and Rolanda. After her children were grown, she found love again and married Steven Griffith in 2001. Her family was the center of her world, and she extended her love to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who knew her as "Ganos"—a testament to her warm and loving nature. Whether wrapping family in warm hugs and kisses or finishing a conversation just to hang up and call right back repeating the same question – she would always end with expressing how much we all were loved.

Terri is preceded in death by her mother, Margie Norman; biological father, Louis Preston; adopted father, Billy Norman; and eldest child, Manson Deontaue’ Branch.

She is survived by her daughters, Chanika Lynise Branch and Rolanda Lainae Washington; six grandchildren, Turon Walker, Mikayla Taylor, David Ferguson, Aaryne Jordan, Saniya Taylor, and Kamryn Washington; and four great-grandchildren, Amara Lainae Ferguson, David Carter Ferguson, Dominick Cooper Ferguson, and Aleyah Milan Walker. Terri also leaves behind 11 siblings, Billy Parker, Penny Norman, Tammy Jo Scriven, Sherri Norman, Charles “Chucky” Preston, Rosalind Preston-Johnson, the late Pamela Preston, Kimberly Preston, Beverly Preston, Kevin Preston, and Angela Preston, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, beloved church family and friends.

Terri's legacy of love, laughter, and song will forever resonate with those who were fortunate to know her, whether you knew her as Terri, Terri Tooter, T-Time, T-Boz or Ganos. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered as a beacon of joy and a source of strength for her family and community. May she now rest in God’s loving embrace.