Jean Terrell Kavanay Griffin

Published 12:17 am Monday, June 3, 2013

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” — Proverbs 31:28

CENTREVILLE — Funeral services for Jean Terrell Kavanay Griffin, 82, of Centreville, who died Friday, May 31, 2012, will be 11 a.m. today at Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Centreville under the direction of Newman Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at 4 p.m. at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Hattiesburg under the direction of Hulett-Winsted Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until time of services today at Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Jean was born July 11, 1930 in New Orleans, the daughter of Susie Velma Powell Kavanay and John Raymond Kavanay.  She grew up in Magnolia and later in Jackson, where she attended Central High School and Millsaps College. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.

She married William Kennedy Griffin Jr. on Jan. 13, 1954, and moved to Centreville.  They were married 57 years before he preceded her in death by 2 years and 6 days.  Jean was a homemaker, indefatigable spur of the moment hostess, gregarious friend and confidant, devoted mother and wife.

She was a member of Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church, The Book Club and previous member of a bridge club and numerous community and school organizations.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one brother, John Raymond Kavanay Jr.

Survivors include two sons, William Kennedy Griffin III and wife, Amanda, and John Andrew Griffin and wife,  Kelly, all of Jackson; two daughters, Mary Jean Griffin Lobrano and husband, Thomas, of Centreville and Anna Louise Griffin Callender and husband, Jeff, of Jackson; nine grandchildren, William Kennedy Griffin IV, Kelsey Powell Griffin, Griffin Ellis Callender, Madeleine Kavanay Griffin, Mollie Carroll Griffin, and John Andrew Griffin Jr., all of Jackson,  Farrar Marianna Faust Blackburn and husband, Joe, of Centreville,  Amanda Leigh Griffin Conner and husband, Matt, of Oxford, Olivia Terrell Faust of Fort Myers, Fla.; and two step-grandchildren, Tara Leigh Lobrano Hayes and husband, Kevin, of Baton Rouge, and Thomas Emile Lobrano Jr., also of Baton Rouge, and two step great-grandchildren, Emileigh Katherine Hayes and Charles Kevin Hayes IV.

Pallbearers will be William Kennedy Griffin IV, Griffin Ellis Callender, John Andrew Griffin Jr., Robert Joseph Blackburn, Matthew Wesley Conner, John Raymond “Tim” Kavanay III, David Webster Kavanay and Paul Crawford Bacon Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thomson Memorial Presbyterian Church at P.O. Box 309, Centreville MS 39631, Kappa Delta Sorority at Millsaps College or to the charity or organization of your choice.

The family thanks Jaklen Jackson, Lannell Van Norman, Terrie Causey, Dot Brabham and Sharonda Blake for the care, love, faithfulness and friendship shown to our mother for the past several years.

“Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.” — Proverbs 17:6