Ellery Emerson Griffith Jr.

ELLERY EMERSON GRIFFITH JR. Ellery Emerson Griffith Jr., 69, of Independence, Mo., passed away Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024, at East Independence Church of Christ, 202 E. Rte. 291, Independence, MO 64057. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2024, at Selmore Cemetery in Ozark, Mo. Ellery was born October 30, 1954, in Kansas City, Mo., to Ellery E. Griffith Sr. and Betty (Page) Griffith and has been a lifelong area resident. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1972 and proudly went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1972-74. He had worked for the City of Independence for a number of years in the street department and parks and recreation for a number of years until he retired in 2018. He enjoyed cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of East Independence Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife Teresa Griffith of the home; five daughters, Tamara Griffith, Candace McGee and husband Tony, Sophie Griffith, Lauren DuPont and Kristin Griffith; two sons, Aaron Griffith and Caleb Griffith; a sister, Rowena Hernandez and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Dustin Griffith in 2014. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com. Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel, (816) 373-3600.