UTICA — Jeanne Elizabeth Hardy Griffin, 88, passed peacefully on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at her home in Utica with family by her side.  She was welcomed at the gates of Heaven into the arms of her Lord and Savior, and greeted by family and friends gone before.

Visitation will be at Utica Christian Church on Saturday, June 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11. Interment will be at the Griffin Family Cemetery following the service.

Jeanne, known as “Monnie” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Oct. 8, 1925, the daughter of James and Lelia Hardy.

Jeanne and her twin brother, James Jr. “Bud”, attended high school and college on a work/study program at Berea Boarding School in Berea, Ky.

At Berea, Jeanne earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduating college in 1948, Jeanne returned to Birmingham and worked as a secretary for the Internal Revenue Service.

In 1949, she met a young gentleman at First Christian Church by the name of Murray Griffin. On April 14, 1951, Murray and Jeanne wed at the First Christian Church in Birmingham. They were married for 63 years.

Jeanne continued to work for the IRS until 1955 when their first child was born. For 12 years, she was a stay-at-home mother. Jeanne eventually rejoined the work force as a secretary for New York Life agent, Wilmer S. Poynor III.

In 1988, Jeanne retired, and she and Murray moved to Utica, built their retirement home, and became active members in the community. Jeanne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Believing that she was never too old to learn, Jeanne enrolled in a “basic” computer course at Hinds Community College at the age of 72 to learn “how to work a computer.”  She was a lover of animals, an avid reader, and loved the challenge of a good crossword puzzle.  Jeanne was an active member of the Utica Christian Church and devoted choir member until her decline in health kept her from attending.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents and twin brother.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Murray Shelton Griffin Sr.; son, Murray Shelton Griffin Jr. (Natalie) of Richland; daughter, Diane Elizabeth Griffin of Florence; two grandsons, Murray Nicholas Griffin (Crystal) of Augusta, Ga., and Charles Travis Griffin Sr. (Brittany) of Pearl; and three great-grandsons, Charles Travis Griffin Jr., Graham Parker Griffin, and Landon Carlisle Griffin.

The family is forever grateful to our caregivers, Daisy Scott, Lola Stimage, Cynthia Brown, and Delisha Hamlin for the care, dedication, and love they provided for Jeanne.

Memorials may be made to the Utica Christian Church or the Mississippi Animal Rescue League of Jackson or a charity of your choice.

Pallbearers are Nicholas Griffin, Travis Griffin, Tommy Griffin, Justin Griffin, Roger Templeton, and Lowell Mims.  Honorary pallbearers are R.C. Mobley and Dan Currie.