Mrs. Wilhelmina V. Griffith

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our beloved Wilhelmina Vanderhorst Griffith who departed this life on February 19, 2016. Age 87 years. She grew up in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, born the second of eight children to Robert Vanderhorst, Sr., and Virginia Thompson Vanderhorst. Wilhelmina was a graduate of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina where she received her degree in Early Education. Following graduation, Wilhelmina began her career as an educator and taught in South Carolina for two years. While working in her father’s gas station, Wilhelmina met her husband Marion Griffith, Sr. The two married on June 21, 1953 and relocated to Michigan. To that union three children were born. As a first and second grade teacher at Houghton Elementary School for 31 years, Wilhelmina impacted many lives. She graced the halls with class, grace, and style. Wilhelmina retired from the Saginaw Public School District in 1991. Many will remember her by her distinct voice. Wilhelmina loved to sing and listen to great music; she couldn’t help but to dance when she heard it. She enjoyed traveling with her sisters and simply adored her great-grandchildren. Her memory will be cherished by her children, L. Vermell Sangster, Marion(Alisa) Griffith, Jr. and Linda Fay Griffith; grandchildren, Tamika Boyd, Michael(Earnestine) Sangster II, Vandy(Ashley)Griffith, Latrice Griffith(Pierre Ford), Simone Sangster, Da'Rell(Alicia)Dorsey, Tre’von Dorsey, Jameshia Dorsey, Shavonna Wilson, and Teonna Wilson; great-grandchildren who affectionately call her “G.G.”, Ta’Daviyon, Michael III, Sean, Simaria, Brooklyn, Bailey, Markayla, Marcus, D’Airrea, Teri, Da’nayjah, Deonna, Da'Rell, Jr., and De’Anthony; her siblings, Julia V.(Elijah)Brown, Robert Vanderhorst, Jr., Al Vanderhorst, Sr., Pearl V.(Timothy)Ascue, and Lindy Lowe; a host of nieces and nephews; a goddaughter, Anitra Smith-Williams. Step-Sons, Gerald Walker and Larry Smith. Also to cherish her memory she leaves special family friends, The Hill/McMillon, Boyd, Dottery, Drake Families, Brenda Palmer & James Brooks, Jr., Sherman Sampson, Jr., her Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church family, her hair stylist Tammy Camel, and Lamott Simpson and the Golden Girls of Stylz Hair Salon . Wilhelmina was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Griffith, Sr.; parents, Robert and Virginia Vanderhorst; three sisters, Helen V. Rouse, Margie V. Hills and Gloria A. Vanderhorst; brother-in-laws, Walter Hills, Sr., James Griffith, Jimmy Griffith, J.C. Griffith, Charlie Griffith, David Griffith, Jake Griffith, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Mary Alice Vanderhorst, Yvonne Vanderhorst, Alma Griffith, Willie Mae Griffith, Ola Bell Casey, Ruth Williams and Mamie Lou Griffith. Special Nephew; James "Wardell" Casey and Step-Son; Terry Griffith. Funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Corinthian Baptist Church, 104 South 10th Street. Pastor Roy Manning will officiate with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Evans & Brown's Funeral Home 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Friday, February 26, 2016 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. The family will be present from 6-7 p.m.

Mrs. Wilhelmina V. Griffith

August 9, 1928 - February 19, 2016