Velma Griffith

Velma May Griffith

1934-2020

Our loving grandmother, great-grandmother, and mom -Velma May Griffith, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 9, 2020. She was born to loving parents, David and Florence Okelberry in the historic, pioneering valley of Oakley Idaho. She was married to Sam Mullen Jr. and later divorced. She then married Arthur “Jack” Griffith on June 14, 1966.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple on April 22, 1978.   She is survived by six children: Darlene May Rigler (Andy), Jeniece May Johnson (Marlon),  David Mullen (Oneda), Roy Mullen (Priscilla), Todd Griffith (Camille) and Kelly Griffith.  She also had thirteen surviving grandchildren:  Trent, Travis, and Nicky Rigler. Kenneth, Kevin, Kirk, and Marlon Darin (Samantha) Johnson.  Solomon (Renata) Alires, Dora (Dave) Martellaro, Matt (Mindi) Mullen and Chris (Samantha) Mullen.  Todd Jr. (Kassidy), Jeff (Ashleigh), and Greg (Jessica) Griffith, Wendy (Byron) Brown, and Glenn Holden.  Velma also has thirty great-grandchildren with one on the way. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arthur “Jack” Griffith, beloved son, Gregory Henry Mullen, and beloved grand-daughter Kristy Rigler.

Velma was a petite, silver haired little lady with bright, baby blue eyes and a smile that could light up a room. Even so, she was feisty and could handle a grizzly bear.  She was tough enough to handle all the problems that life handed her. Velma was an active member of the Daughters of the Pioneers who worked together to preserve their pioneer heritage. She has also been a hard worker all her life, working at a Turkey Hatchery, nursing home as a nurse’s aide and later a pharmaceutical company. Then, after retiring, she worked as a traffic guard, and volunteered at the elementary school tutoring children. She loved painting ceramics and gardening. She was a great cook who made out of this world tacos, and delicious homemade rolls and pies, divinity, fudge and caramel corn.   She also enjoyed canning her homegrown peaches, tomatoes, grapes, and other produce, and creating flavorful jams and jellies--raspberry jam, of course, was her favorite!  She loved kids, and liked being involved in her community, and was a devoted member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She made sure that all her children and grand-children that she helped raise went to church on Sunday. And, if you weren’t doing something right, she would let you know! Most of the time, she had a quick wit and an easy smile, and was a good friend and helpful neighbor.  She enjoyed going with family members to plays and in her later years she spent a lot of time at the Kearns Senior Center, where she was a member of the Kearns Klassy Khicks Red Hat club and enjoyed many plays, parties and traveled on tours with them and the Senior Tour bus. She enjoyed spending time at the Rivers Bend Senior Center continuing to paint ceramics and visiting with people.  She was a strong woman who survived many health issues without many a complaint. She has earned her reward in heaven, and is now resting peacefully there.

We would like to thank the people from the Eddie P. Mayne and Rivers Bend Senior Centers, the Holliday Healthcare, and especially, Canyon Hospice for providing comfort during the last few hours of her life.

If you would like to add to the pictures for Velma please go the top of this page and click Tribute Wall and add them from there.

There will be a viewing on Friday March 13, 2020 at the Peel Funeral Home on 8525 west 2700 South, Magna Utah 84044 at 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A viewing will be at the LDS Church on 8739 West, 3,000 South, Magna, Utah on Saturday March 14, 2020 at 12:00pm to 12:45 with the funeral at 1:00pm.