Obituary of Dr. Giley Elizabeth Nixon Griffin

Dr. Giley E. Nixon Griffin

Dr. Giley Elizabeth Nixon Griffin, blessed with a full life spanning 96 years, transitioned to be with God on August 26, 2024, surrounded by members of her family.

Giley, a committed servant of Jesus Christ, found her greatest joy by reaching out in love to others. She modeled Christian service by spreading the love and teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Born in Midway, Texas in 1928 to the late Holland Nixon Sr. and Evelyn Sandle Nixon, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior early, and was baptized at Antioch Church of Christ. Dr. Griffin's early life was filled with many lessons from her parents. Lessons of faith, character, education and family would soon be indispensable tools for life as she moved to Dallas to continue her education at the age of thirteen. Guided by her aunt Robbie Pearson she moved to Dallas and joined Romine Ave. Christian Church, in the 1940’s where her passion for Christian service grew. As the first in her family to attend college, she paved the way for her siblings and relatives. Under the mentorship of Rev. Elbie Guy Titus, Giley attended Jarvis Christian College, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and later a Masters Degree in Library Science at Atlanta University in Georgia. For nearly three decades she served as a school librarian in the Dallas Independent School District and upon retirement as Director of Library Services at Jarvis Christian College. She was also a charter member of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Incorporated.

Giley received many honors including induction into the Jarvis Christian College “Pioneer Hall of Fame” and Jarvis Christian College Honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters.

Finding inspiration and motivation from female Bible personalities, Ruth and Mary, Dr. Griffin made it her life’s goal to emulate their faithfulness and leadership by serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on many levels. In 1996, she traveled to Brazil on the Woman-to-Woman Worldwide Mission Trip. She served in leadership in the Christian Church as President of the National Convocation Disciples Women Ministries, President of National Convocation Ministers’ Wives and Husbands Fellowship, President of Southwest Region Disciples Women Ministries, President of Texas Christian Missionary Fellowship (TCMF) Disciples Women Ministries and President of TCMF Ministers Wives and Husbands Fellowship. She also chaired the Nominating Committee of the International Disciples Women’s Ministries. Giley served as a board member of many Christian and faith-based organizations including Juliette Fowler Homes, Trustee of the General Board of the Christian Church, Trustee and Secretary of the National Convocation, and Trustee of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. She authored two books: Faith Keepers: African American Women Leaders in Texas 1846 - 2000 in the Christian Church, and Texas Christian Missionary Fellowship of the Christian Church Southwest Region - A Historical Prospectus – 1914 - 2000.

She served as First Lady at Corinth Christian Church in Kilgore, Texas for 17 years where her husband, Rev. Dr. James O. Griffin served as Senior Pastor. An inspirational and motivational speaker, she was often sought to share her profound words of encouragement. She served as an Elder, at her home church, Romine Ave. in Dallas. Giley was also a member of the “Willing Workers,” a service ministry at Bonnie View Christian Church also in Dallas, Texas.

She also enjoyed traveling with her husband across the United States and the Caribbean. She also enjoyed traveling with her granddaughters to Europe and taking cruises together. One of her favorite hobbies was gardening. Some of the flowers and plants in her garden were inspired by those she saw at Buckingham Palace in London, England.

Dr. Griffin loved her family. She had a philanthropist heart. She always had an encouraging word for each member of her family. She continued to inspire and support each one in every way to ensure they always knew she was behind them one hundred percent. She did not believe in division. Love was her mantra, that with God all things are possible.

Married 59 years to Rev. Dr. James O. Griffin who preceded her in death, Giley is mother of two children, Mrs. Pamela Renee Mitchell (Rev. Dennis W. Mitchell) of Marietta, Georgia and James Dale Griffin, M.D. (Mrs. Sheila Val Lincoln Griffin) of Dallas, Texas.
 

She has five phenomenal grandchildren: Shayna Elizabeth Monique Mitchell Ross (Matthew Ross); Erin Denise Mitchell Richeson, Esq. (Glenn Richeson, Esq.); Brianna Marie Griffin, M.D.; Andrea Renee Mitchell Gourdine, Ph. D. (John-Alan Gourdine); and James Alexander Griffin. She has five lovely great-grandchildren: Andrew James Mitchell Ross, Austin David Mitchell Richeson, Christian Oliver Matthew Ross, Aiden Leonard Richeson and Ada Renee Gourdine. Mourning her passing are Matilda Stanley (sister), Gerline Powers (sister) and Carolyn Nixon (sister-in-law). She was preceded in death by siblings Wiley Nixon, Pennie Ethel Matchett, Holland Nixon, Jr., Minnie B. Bailey, Timothy Nixon and Arthur Morris Nixon. She will be especially missed by her sister-in-law, Jacqueline Nixon, who was by her side daily the final three years of her life. Countless more relatives, co-laborers in Christ, friends and colleagues will cherish fond memories of Giley.

Her kind, generous, loving and encouraging spirit embedded in an undeniable faith in God throughout her life, will forever speak of her works and influence on the many lives she touched. We are forever grateful to God for the time we have had with her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests tax deductible donations be made to Phi Delta Kappa Sorority in honor of Dr. Giley E. Griffin via zelle at nspdkdeltaepsilon1@gmail.com. Please designate that the donation is made to support a memorial scholarship in honor of Dr. Giley E. Griffin, so that we can thank you for your generosity.