Naomi Griffin

NAOMI GRIFFIN Naomi Ruth Griffin, daughter of Onie John and Ella Ritzinger Winfrey, was born, September 30, 1924 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She departed this life, Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in Laurie Care Center, Laurie, Missouri at the age of eighty-eight years, six months and ten days. On May 27, 1944 in Kansas City, Kansas, she was united in marriage to Donald John Griffin. Together they shared sixty-six years of marriage until his passing on September 10, 2010. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Charles Winfrey and Cecil Winfrey and three sisters, Pauline Pettis, Opal Gust and Thelma Pierce. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and many friends. Naomi was raised in St. Joseph, Missouri and attended Neely Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High and Central High School. She worked as a Car Hop for Doan's Drive-In in St. Joseph, at the St. Joseph News-Press and Sears in Kansas City. She and Don owned Midwest Model Airplane Shop in Kansas City. Her most notable accomplishment was being the first female school bus driver for the Raytown School District. She received awards for safe driving and for twenty-five years of service. Naomi made a profession of faith and attended the Salvation Army Church in St. Joseph. She was a member of the Sky Kings Model Air Plane Club, Academy of Model Aeronautics, the Red Hat Women of Climax Springs, Missouri and the Fire Flies of N.W.F.P.D. #4. In her spare time she enjoyed building model airplanes and model helicopters. She and Don went to contests for flying and running the radio. She was a volunteer at Lake Regional Hospital. She was a loving aunt and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created for her family and friends. Graveside services and burial will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2013 in Allee Memorial Gardens, Camdenton. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. Friday in Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Compassus and left at the funeral home. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton is assisting the family with arrangements.