Beverly Jean Griffith

With deep sadness we announce the passing of our beautiful, beloved mother and grandmother, Beverly Jean Griffith, who left us on October 21, 2026. Beverly was born on February 9, 1939 in Temple, Texas, as the child of Howard Keith and RoJean Dodgen. Throughout her life, Beverly served as a dedicated civic leader, conservation advocate, and was a longtime champion of Austin’s parks and open spaces. She is celebrated and remembered for her enduring contributions to the city she loved and helped shape. Her leadership reflected a deep understanding that parks and greenways are essential parts of a thriving community and are a legacy worth preserving for future generations.

Starting 1997, Beverly served two terms on the Austin City Council, where she helped advance initiatives supporting parks, greenways, and public spaces with a special focus on the historically underserved areas of our city. As Council Member, she created and received support for the Social Fabric Initiative providing $1.5 million per year to serve more than 9,000 at-risk young people with after school, weekend and summer programs in Parks & Recreation Facilities.

Before her council service, she spent more than a decade on the Austin Parks and Recreation Board, including three years as its chair. As Chairman, she initiated the 1992 Bond Election for badly needed funds for East Austin Recreation Facilities, and encouraged the addition of $40.5 million for a “Destination parks and Greenways” initiative for east Austin.

Beverly was also co-founder of the Austin Parks Foundation, the Barton Creek Wilderness Park Association, and was a longtime member of the National Advisory Council of the Trust for Public Land.

In 1993, Beverly championed a group called, “Citizens for Open Space,” which helped move voters to approve $20 million in public funds for the acquisition of land critical for the preservation of the Barton Creek watershed. Once the funding had been approved, Beverly worked with the Trust for Public Land to assemble a 1000 acre tract above Barton Springs pool which became known as the Barton Creek Wilderness Park. More than anything else, this park ensures that the pristine waters of Barton Springs Pool stay forever open for public use. You can learn more about Beverly’s involvement in saving Barton Springs by watching the 2026 documentary called, “Foreverland: The Story of Barton Creek Greenbelt.”

Yet, her commitment to public service extended well beyond Austin’s parks. Beverly served on the board of the Capital Area Metropolitan Transportation Authority and supported a range of environmental, educational, cultural, and charitable organizations. Among her charitable interests, Beverly was a long time Board Member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America and was a founding member of the Austin Chapter of Avance.

Her contributions will be remembered in the open spaces she worked to protect and in the generations of Austinites who will continue to enjoy them. May her memory be honored with gratitude for a life of civic commitment and service to the Austin community.

Beverly is survived by her siblings, Randy and Karen, by her son, Stephen Balie Griffith, his wife Stefanie, as well as by her wonderful grandchildren: Elenor and Taft Hulsey, Balie and Jon-Michael Griffith, Leah Griffith and Jean Griffith. Beverly will be remembered by her friends and by countless people whose lives she positively impacted. Beverly Griffith was preceded in death by her loving husband, Balie Jackson Griffith.

Our family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love during this difficult time. Please join us to celebrate Beverly’s life on November 16th, at 2pm for a Memorial Service at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, feel invited to contribute to the following institutions, which were so near and dear to Beverly’s heart: The Trust for Public Land - https://www.tpl.org/form, Westminster Presbyterian Church - https://wpcaustin.org/give, Avance - https://avanceaustin.org/support-us/donate/.