Melba Luverne Stanfield Griffis, 93, of Patterson, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, at Baptist Village Retirement Communities in Waycross.
Born February 21, 1932, in Blackshear, she was the daughter of Jasper Clarence “Bud” and Mattie Lee Walker Stanfield. She was a 1949 graduate of Patterson High School and lived most of her life in Pierce County.
After marrying her sweetheart, she found pleasure in being a homemaker, farming and raising her two rambunctious boys. They claim she was the best mother anyone could ever ask for. Many years later, she was graced with two loving daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. At this point, she became known as Mimi. The grandchildren have fond memories of Mimi’s crocheting, baking them cakes and cupcakes, taking them on picnics to the beach and driving them on many eventful car rides full of laughter and giggles.
She also spent time working at Rainbow Drug Store in Brunswick. In her retirement era, she and her husband moved to Hickory Bluff in Waverly. She enjoyed her time there and made many memories. However, to be closer to her family, Mimi made her way back to Patterson and lived there until needing care at Garden View and then Baptist Village.
She was a member of Patterson Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Daniel “Happy” Griffis Sr.; her brothers and their wives, Troy (Mary) Stanfield and Lewis (Sug) Stanfield; one sister and her husband, Mina (Davis) Griner and two sisters-in-law, Peggy Elliot and Bobbie Jean Floyd.
Survivors include her oldest son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Melinda Griffis and her youngest son and daughter-in-law, Mikell and Joyce Griffis; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Jamie) Boyett, Daniel (Tiffany) Griffis, Janna (Ty) Wright and Angel (Ken) Tittle; six great-grandchildren, JT and Griff Boyett, Hudson and Carter Tittle and Abby Reese and Avery Wright; two sisters, Iris (Floy) Cobb and Mary Lou Tatum; one sister-in-law, Edra (Joe) Haban; one brother-in-law, AJ (Glenda) Griffis; Tommy Floyd and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, August 24, at Patterson Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 24, from the Patterson Baptist Church with Rev. Rozzie James and Rev. Vance Colley officiating.
A private burial will take place at Patterson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be to Baptist Village, 2650 Carswell Avenue, Waycross, GA 31503; Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501 or Patterson Baptist Church, P.O. Box 385, Patterson, GA 31557 in her memory.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
