Theda Griffin

Theda Ann Griffin, of Ward, Arkansas, died on October 4, 2015, at the age of 79. She was a member of Ward First Baptist Church. She was born in Wattensaw, Arkansas, to Jewell and Nan Maben Langford. She retired from Arkansas State Hospital after over thirty-one years of service. After retiring, she worked for Cabot School System for thirteen years.

Ann enjoyed traveling with her husband of over fifty years. They visited every state but Hawaii, many of them several times. After their health began to decline, they traveled more to Mountain View, which they both loved. She called it her Colorado, Arkansas.

Ann loved to collect cookbooks. She loved spending time with family. Since she and Tommie didn't have children, she loved her sisters' children and grandchildren like they were her own.

Ann was preceded in death by her best friend and loving husband, Tommie Lee Griffin, her parents, and sisters, Rebecca Jane Arnold and Bernadine Stephens.

She is survived by her sister, Sandra Nelke (Gary) of Ward; nephew Windell Stephens of Ward; nieces Brenda Lamb (Joe) of Brinkley, Jerry Shank (John) of North Carolina, Donna Campbell (Jeff) of Georgia, and April Brown (Chance) of Cabot.

The family wishes to express special thanks to her friends and church family, Dr. Lawrence Mendelsohn (her oncologist) and Dr. Richard Johnson (her doctor of many years) and their nurses and staff, for their loving care. A special thanks also to her special chemo nurses at Springhill.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ward First Baptist Church, 208 S. Scott, Ward, AR 72176, American Cancer Society, or Apple Hill Cemetery c/o Ray Haymes.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at Apple Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.westbrookfuneralhome.com