LOUISE F. GRIFFIN

Before the beginning, God knew what He designed you to be, He knew all the plans that He had for you, Louise, So, He carefully scheduled your days, that you would give Him Glory, Honor and Praise! You're a Designer's Original, Louise, A chosen treasure chest, you're one of a kind, Created by the Master with one purpose in mind, To be a showcase of His Glory – for the whole world to see, A reflection of His beauty as His prized possession shines through you.

On the morning of Thursday, February 19, 2015, the Angel of God invaded our ranks and took from our midst a sparkling jewel in His treasure chest named, Evangelist Louise Fitzgerald Griffin, affectionately known as "Mother Griffin."

We can imagine hearing her saying: Praise the Lord, I Made It!

Though some may sing to pass the weary night along, Though some may sing to entertain a worldly throng, I sing because I worship God in song, It's in my heart, it's in my heart. It's in my heart, this melody of love divine, It's in my heart, since I am His and He is mine, It's in my heart, how can I help, but sing and shine, It's in my heart, it's in my heart.

God has deposited such a wealth of spiritual treasure and divine legacy within this great woman of God, a pioneer of the Gospel, a faithful Prayer Intercessor, an Powerful Evangelist, a dedicated Missionary and a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, loved one, and friend.

She was born on November 29, 1920, to the late George and Josephine Crittenden in McKenney, Virginia. Evangelist Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Florine Reaves; three brothers, George, Nick, and Johnny Crittenden; her son, James "Bunny" Fitzgerald, Sr.; and her daughter, Novella "Josephine" Fitzgerald-Bartley; and husbands, James Fitzgerald and James Lee Griffin.

Evangelist Louise confessed and accepted Christ at the early age of 11 at First Baptist Church, McKenney, Va. Because Mother Crittenden was a praying woman, all of the Crittenden children were taught to be God-loving, and raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Mother Griffin began growing in the Lord and working in the church. Early in her life, God blessed her to attend the McKenney School System. Shortly after, she fell in love with James Fitzgerald and God blessed this union with 5 blessed children.

Mother Louise worked at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company for 16 years and worked at the Fort Lee Officer's Club for 12 years. Later on God called her husband, James Fitzgerald home. She prayed and struggled alone to care for her family with God's help. Years afterward, she married a wonderful man named James Lee Griffin and God blessed them with another blessed daughter.

The family moved from McKenney to Hopewell, Va., where Mother Griffin joined Mount Carmel Baptist Church under Rev. Judge Brown. She served in many capacities as President of the Missionary Circle, Vice President of the Pulpit Aide, Treasurer of the Gospel Chorus, and President of the Beautification Auxiliary.

After running from the call of ministry on her life for years, Mother Louise accepted her call in 1964. Despite overcoming the many stumbling blocks and the enemy's attempt to stop her, Mother Griffin pressed her way through to be licensed as a minister of the gospel on February 23, 1975. Without a formal education in ministry, God told her," if she would stand and open your mouth – He would speak for you". So she did speak, Seek, ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you… Matthew 6:33

Evangelist Griffin loved God with all of her heart and loved people too! She preached 3 powerful services a Sunday and conducted many 5 day revivals without the ability to formally write a sermon, but she studied and proclaimed the Good News as God gave her the words! She was proof that God could use anybody, who was willing to be utilized by God! Evangelist Louise's tongue was like the pen of a ready writer, where grace anointed her lips! Before long, she received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues and the gift of the laying on of hands and casting out of demons at Jerusalem Holy Church in Hopewell, Va. During the thriving years of her ministry, many lost souls were saved, God healed 6 people of cancer and others were healed of many other diseases.

God rearranged Evangelist Louise's schedule and kept her preoccupied preaching the gospel in prisons, nursing homes, and many churches. God blessed her to touch many lives as a part of the Tri-City Prayer Band, whose mandate was to uplift in prayer each other, neighbors, communities, churches, governments and the world. God allowed her ministry to extend beyond the borders of Virginia to expand from New York to California. Evangelist Louise traveled abroad to Jerusalem in 1973 and journeyed to be baptized in the Jordan River in 1994. God granted her heart's desire to travel to Paris, France and Liberia, Africa.

After 26 years in ministry, God sent Evangelist Griffin to join Holy Village in Petersburg, Va., now Mount Sinai Christian Center. At that time, Mother Mary Montgomery was pastor and God afforded her the opportunity to tag team with Evangelist Griffin in running some revivals together. Mother Griffin served at Mount Sinai as: President, Hospitality Committee, Treasurer, Building Fund, President, Missionary Circle and a member of the Announcer's Guild. Her evangelistic ministry and intercession mantle continued as a resident in River View Health and Rehab as she prayed and layed hands on many.

She leaves us her legacy to Praise the Lord, three sons, Dr. George Fitzgerald (Sarah) of Suitland, Md., Howard Fitzgerald (Patricia) of Petersburg, Va., and Norman Fitzgerald (Mary) of District Heights, Md; a daughter, Apostle Maxine Wilson (Apostle Doug) of Petersburg, Va; an adopted daughter, Janice Stringfield (Barbie Lee), Wakefield, Va.; seventeen grandchildren, Troy Fitzgerald, Gail Fitzgerald, Carl Fitzgerald, James (Jimmy) Fitzgerald Jr., Alfred Blandshaw, Demeatrice Langford, Carlton Langford, Jr., Monisha Stringford, Vicky Jeter, Maurice Blalock, Francine Fitzgerald, Jimmy R. Hall, Gina Fitzgerald, Howard Madison Fitzgerald II, Terri Cornish, Sheneria Griffin, Krista Barnes and Jennifer Sullivan; twenty-five great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual sons and daughters, other relatives, a devoted Pastor, Alfred Woodard & First Lady, Mother Minnie Woodard of Petersburg, Va, Dr. Peter Ault, River View Health & Rehab Staff and Residents of Hopewell, Va; devoted caregivers to include: Mrs. Donna McLaughlin and Mrs. Roslyn Curseen, both Hopewell, Va, and dedicated friends, Sister Susie Green, Sister Imogene Campbell, Mrs. Rose, and Mrs. Ernestine Brown.

Services for Evangelist Louise M. Griffin will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Va., the Rev. Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., pastor, and Rev. Dr. George Fitzgerald and Pastor Maxine Wilson, eulogists and Pastor Alfred Woodard of Mt. Sinai Christian Center, officiating. Interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family will assemble at 10 a.m. the day of the service and receive friends at 1910 Bogese Drive, Petersburg, and may be contacted by calling (804) 721-7828.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Evangelist Griffin at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.