Muriel E. McGriff

Muriel E. McGriff May 17, 1918- May 17, 2007 DOTHAN, AL— Mrs. Muriel E. McGriff passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2007 at her residence in Dothan, Alabama with her family at her side. She was 89 years old. Mrs. McGriff was a parishioner of St. Columba Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church, 2700 W. Main St., Dothan, AL on May 19, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Patrick Gallagher officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery on Highway 431 North. The family will be receiving friends at St. Columba O'Hara Hall from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Saturday prior to service time. Following the funeral, the family will be at the home of Mrs. McGriff's son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Saundra McGriff, 103 Asphodel Drive, Dothan, AL. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. McGriff's memory to St. Columba Catholic Church ÒCapital Campaign FundÓ, 2700 W. Main St., Dothan, AL, 36303. Muriel was born on May 17, 1918 at Gorgas Hospital in Ancon, Canal Zone. She was one of eight children born to Sidney and Teresa Moore. During her high school years she was awarded many athletic and academic honors. She excelled in basketball and other sports. Her competitive nature in sports helped her in her personal life as well as her business career. Her determination to succeed in life also helped her face her struggle with cancer. Muriel received her Associates Degree from Canal Zone Junior College and after graduation she married Everett Corbin (Mac) McGriff, Sr. in San Diego, California. She then began the life of a Navy wife. She and Corbin were stationed in Newport, Rhode Island; Norfolk, Virginia; Annapolis, Maryland; Brownsville, Texas; and Cocoli, Canal Zone. After retiring from the Navy, the McGriff's moved to Dothan, AL in 1958. Muriel worked 16 years with the City of Dothan and retired as Assistant Personnel Director in 1976. This position placed her as the highest ranked woman employed by the City of Dothan at that time. Muriel was very active in civic and church life. She was a member of the Dothan-Houston County Chamber of Commerce, The Pilot Club and Chairperson for the Miss Dothan Pageant. She also served as President of the Dothan chapter of Business and Professional Women's Club. She was appointed to the Citizen's Advisory Committee by the B & PW. She was also very active with the St. Columba Women's Craft Group, the Iona Group and the Panama Canal Society where she served in executive positions over the years. Mrs. McGriff was the support system for her husband and her children. She seemed to have the ability to solve each problem brought to her with a logic that amazed her family and friends. Her encouragement and support led us to believe that we could achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves. Her daily devotion to her rosary and prayer set an example to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that God deserves the glory in all that we do. We want to extend a special thanks to our Mother's dear friend and traveling ÒbuddyÓ, Penny Ballentine as well as her care-givers, Delia Rogers, Sherri Graham and Covenant Hospice. Muriel is preceded in death by her husband, Everett Corbin (Mac) McGriff, Sr.; her parents, Sidney and Teresa Moore; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Jack Hern; her brothers, George Moore, William Moore and Howard Moore. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Geri and Charles Davis of Columbus, GA, her two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Everett Corbin, Jr. and Faye McGriff of Jackson, MS and Gene and Saundra McGriff of Dothan, AL; a brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Letty Moore of El Segundo, CA; a sister, Alice Jackson of Bartlesville, OK; a sister-in-law, Frances Simmons of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Scott and wife, Capri Davis; Danni Leigh and husband, Bill Harris; Chuck and wife, Julie Davis; Aimee Davis, Melissa and husband, Stephen Johnston, Trey McGriff, Natalie and husband, Matthew Snell, and Courtney McGriff; great-grandchildren, Molli and Will Harris, Benjamin and Jonathan Davis, Mary Hunter, Bennett, Isabelle, Charlie Johnston and Matthew David Snell, Jr. and many beloved nieces and nephews. Serving as active pallbearers are Scott Davis, Chuck Davis, Matthew Snell, Bill Harris, Danny McGriff and David McGriff. ÒWhen you have a Mother who cares so much for you, that anything you want becomes her desires, When you have a Mother who is so understanding that whatever is bothering you she can make you smile about it, When you have a Mother that is so strong that no matter what obstacles she faces she is always confident in front of you, When you have a Mother who actively pursues her goals in life, but includes you in all her goals .you are indeed very lucky. Having a mother like this makes it easy to grow up into a loving, strong adult. Thank you for being this type of Mother. Mom we will always miss you!Ó Byrd Funeral Home, 3409 W. Main St., Dothan, Alabama, 36305 334.793.3003