Lula Griffith

Funeral services for Mrs. Lula Beth Griffith, 90, of Clarksville, Missouri were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 12th at the Calumet Presbyterian Church at Clarksville, Missouri. Dr. Michael Mason officiated. Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 11th at the Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, Missouri. Burial was in the Buffalo—Jordan Cemetery at Louisiana, Missouri. Mrs. Griffith passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Pike County Memorial Hospital in Louisiana. Lula Beth was born July 20, 1918 in Rich Hill, Missouri to Fielden Emmitt Jacob and Blanche Rhodes Jacob. Lula Beth met her husband, Warren Melvin Griffith, on a blind date while both were students at the University of Missouri. Melvin knew they were meant for each other on that first date. They were married on March 15, 1941, and their 68 year union has been an inspiration to their family. She is survived by her husband, Melvin, and their four children; Warren Melvin Griffith, Jr.(Sue), Elizabeth Kannegiesser (Dr. Hartmut Kannegiesser), Dennis Griffith, (Peggy) and Phillip Griffith, (Wilma), 15 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Family was always the center of Lula Beth’s life, and she had a special relationship with each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lula Beth studied English and education at Columbia College and the University of Missouri and taught high school English for much of her adult life. She began her career in Licking, Missouri prior to World War II. She restarted her career, after birth of her children, in Clarksville, Missouri teaching at Clopton High School. She spent the next 24 years teaching at Louisiana High School, retiring in 1986. As a teacher in Louisiana, Lula Beth had the unique experience of teaching her own children and even serving under her son Dennis when he was principal. Lula Beth loved working with high school students and was voted Teacher of the Year by her colleagues in 1983. Along with her family and teaching career, Lula Beth devoted much of her time to her Christian faith as a member of Calumet Presbyterian Church, where she served as an adult Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer for the Calumet-Clarksville Parish, and president of the Missionary Society. Almost everyone who has met Lula Beth, as a family member, friend, student or fellow church member, has been touched by her warmth, intelligence, kindness and elegance. Honorary pallbearers were; Ryan Kannegiesser and Jacob Griffith. Active pallbearers were; Brent Griffith, Jeffrey Kannzegiesser, Scott Griffith, Don Griffith, Dennis Griffith and Kirk Griffith. Memorials may be given to Pike County Home Health & Hospice in care of Collier Funeral Homes, Inc., 117 Barnard Drive, Louisiana, M0 63353

Lula Griffith

July 20, 1918 - June 9, 2009