The People’s Tribune

Helen V. Griffith

Helen V. Graves Griffith, 90, of Vandalia died Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 at Tri-County Care Center in Vandalia.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 3 p.m., at Waters Funeral Chapel in Vandalia with Kenny Haddock officiating. Interment will be in Lick Creek Cemetery in Perry.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-3 p.m., at Waters Funeral Chapel in Vandalia.

She was born Oct. 25, 1926 in New London, the daughter of Ollie Ray and Lola Bea Long Graves. She married Marvin Glen Griffith in Paris on July 24, 1946. He preceded her in death on Jan. 7, 2004. Survivors include one daughter, Irene J. Day and husband, Freddie of Vandalia; a sister, Josephine Moss of Vandalia; two grandchildren, Jody Bauman and husband, Matt of Vandalia and Jennifer Day of Vandalia; six great-grandchildren, Alec Bauman, Hannah Bauman, Morgan Slatten, Madalyn Swafford, Jackson Cook and Jaden Cook; also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin; seven brothers, Bill Graves, Merl Graves, Ralph Graves, Jerry “J.R.” Graves, Marselle Leake, Lloyd Leake and Glenn Leake; three sisters, Eva Pearl Leake, Nellie Fern Lent and Alice Kuda; also one grandson, Keith Wade Day.

Helen attended rural schools in Ralls County. After her marriage to Marvin, they lived in Perry. In the mid 1960’s, they opened and operated the Café Bar and Grill in Center for about four years. Then they owned and operated Griffith’s Package Store in Perry for 18 years, retiring in 1983.

She was a member of the Perry VFW Post 4008 Ladies Auxiliary. She also was an avid Cardinal baseball fan and enjoyed reading. Helen loved spending time with her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Ralph Kuda, Mike Kuda, Joe Wayne Kuda, Monte Moss and Patty McLain. Honorary pallbearers will be Alec Bauman, Hannah Bauman, Morgan Slatten, Madalyn Swafford, Jackson Cook and Jaden Cook. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to the donor’s choice.

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