Jan Griffith

Jan Griffith, a Christian, a daughter and a sister, died peacefully on May 16, 2021. She was 61. Jan was born in Birmingham, AL on October 23, 1959. Her parents were Willard P. Griffith and Elizabeth (Betty) Griffith. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, her Brother Robert A. Griffith, and Boyfriend Gary Easterling. She is survived by her Stepmother Polly M. Griffith, her Sisters, Sue Hamer, Joan Anderson Pell, Jean Thornton, Boyfriend Kenneth (Chip) Carroll, and Nieces Amy Mitchell, Shannon Hellen, Sarah Anderson, Elizabeth Jacobs, Kathy Thornton and Melissa Thornton.

Jan was the youngest of 5 siblings and took full advantage of being the “baby” of the family. Family life was simple and sweet yet chaotic. There was tether ball, a fireman’s pole and a play room filled with a play kitchen and other girly toys for the 3 J’s to play with.

When Jan was 5 we lost our Mother (Betty) at the age of 42. Her death was very sudden. Our Dad, also very young, was fortunate to find a very special lady (Polly) to fall in love with. It had to be love for her to take on a family of 5 children. She adopted the 4 youngest kids and the family was able to heal and become a happy loving family.

Unfortunately Jan became mentally ill during her teenage years and that set her on a path that changed her life forever. She managed to stay a happy person, trying to survive in a world where she didn’t have control of her thoughts. Her life after that was full of ups and downs, but she always made the best of it and never felt sorry for herself. Jan lived her life courageously and never complained.

She was blessed with two loves in her life, Gary and Chip. They loved her for the beautiful person she was.

A few years ago she developed a sore on her head. She kept living her live without attention to the growth that eventually caused an untreatable cancer to spread throughout her body. Jan lived her life with gusto but in the end her fight to live was exhausted and she just could not fight anymore.

“For all of us you gave your best.

Now the time has come for you to rest.

So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep,

Your love in our hearts we will eternally keep”

Her loved ones are thankful for the many years she brightened our lives.

There will be no service.

The Griffith Family

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Griffith family.