Mary Elizabeth Williams Griffith was born October 27, 1939, to the late Exill and Alma D. Thrower Williams of Eagle Mills, Arkansas.  Mary grew to be a symbol of fierce love, passion and creativity for Christ, family, and community. Like a tree planted by the water, she was deeply rooted and unmoved by her trials and circumstances.

Mary departed this life on December 22, 2020 after battling a lengthy illness.

Mary's work for the call of Christ bought joy and service to others. Mary united with Christ at an early age and was a lifelong member of St. John Baptist Church in Eagle Mills and, worshiped with her husband at St. James AME church.  She had a flair for fashions but, her suitable attire was the whole armor of God. She strolled through the Garden of life, empowering, impacting, inspiring, and influencing people from all walks of life. She was a portrait of excellence in every task she set out to accomplish. This devout Christian was committed to God and loyal to ministry in unimaginable ways. She loved serving in multiple capacities within the church. She ensured that the church was beautified for annual programs, holiday events and used her culinary skills in the kitchen. For many years she contributed to the Greater Bradley District Association in a variety of ways.

Mary matriculated through the hallowed halls of AM& N College in Pine Bluff graduating with a B.A. Degree in English/Speech and Drama minoring in Library Science.  She earned a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

As a prolific educator she served as a Librarian in the Bearden, and Fordyce, Public School System and was the first Black Federal Coordinator in the State of Arkansas. Additionally, she found joy in working as an Adjunct Instructor at S.A.U. Tech in East Camden and was an award winning 4-H leader and Upward Bound and Trio Coordinator. She was an instrumental contributor to the "Saga of Bearden" and was a published poet and civic leader. She was a proud member of the Master's Gardner organization and was a flower and plant enthusiasts, entrepreneur, and a model citizen.

Mary Championed many causes and worked with the Silas Hunt Institute and for social change with AmeriCorps VISTA. She was purposeful in being resourceful. She received numerous awards and recognition over the course of her life and was a charter member of the Psi Iota Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta in Camden Arkansas.

Her affiliations with BPW, Ouachita High School Alumni Association, Church Women United and other sound organizations, is one of the many reasons that she was the recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Women of Distinction for Civil Rights award along with her 2020 recognition as a Golden Achiever.

Mary leaves to cherish her purposeful legacy, her husband of 62 years, the legendary Coach Charles Griffith Sr. She nurtured five loving children. Three daughters, Gayle Hartley, Little Rock, AR; Angela (Anthony) Newkirk, Katy, TX; and Wendy Griffith Columbia, MO. Two sons, Charles (Cheryl) Griffith, Jr., Murfreesboro, TN; Michael (Shelia) Griffith, Eagle Mills, AR. Her surviving brothers are, John T. (Dell) Williams, Jacksonville, Fl; Jimmie L. (Gloria) Williams, Eagle Mills, AR; One Sister, Edith Carolyn Williams of Eagle Mills, AR.

There could never be a flowerpot big enough to contain her love for her grandchildren. She was affectionally called "Grandma Mary" and "Granny" to her fifteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Mary joyfully gathered all her family's branches during the Williams Powell Family Reunion that has a history of being celebrated for over 76 years.