Eddie Mae Griffin

Today, another beautiful rose bloomed in God’s flower garden in Heaven. “I have fought a

good fight; I have finished my course and I have kept the faith.”

Our dear beloved Eddie Mae Griffin was born in Whigham, Georgia on February 9, 1922, to the

late Eddie and Alberta Bryant. She was the second of eleven children and the oldest of four

girls, In the late 1920’s, the family moved to Arcadia, Florida where Eddie Mae was raised in a

Christian home, accepted Christ at an early and joined St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

She attended Smith-Brown High School on Watson Avenue.

Eddie Mae spent the early part of her adult life in St. Petersburg, Florida where she lived with

her mother’s oldest brother, Isaiah. While living in St. Petersburg, Eddie Mae was employed as

aide at Mercy Hospital where she assisted and cared for those who needed medical service

and assistance.

Watch the Live-Streamed Homegoing Service at the link below:

https://youtu.be/uaD38_tfxmk

In the early 1960’s Eddie Mae move to Wilmington, Delaware and married Clifford Gene Griffin

who was the love of her life. They were happily married until his death. From this union, their

only child, the late Carl Gene Griffin was born. He was apple of their eyes and the joy of their

life.

During the early years in Wilmington, Eddie Mae was very industrious and hardworking

serving the community as a classroom aide and playground attendant at Lore Elementary

School. Eddie Mae also worked in the Housekeeping Department at the old Delaware Hospital,

and was a cook at the Juicy Mat Restaurant.

For many years, Eddie Mae was a faithful member of First & Olivet Presbyterian Church. As a

member of the Willing Workers Committee, she prepared delicious meatloaf and served it at

the Emanuel Dining Room. Eddie Mae developed longtime friendships everywhere and was a

member of the Everybody’s Birthday Club.

When First & Olivet Presbyterian Church closed, Eddie Mae joined Ezion Mount Carmel United

Methodist Church in July 30, 2000, under the leadership of Pastors Grant and Pearl Johnson.

She was so grateful to have found a new church home and to be able to worship weekly with

Pearl and Paul Livingston (her sister and brother-in-law). Each Sunday, Eddie Mae looked

forward to worshipping her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and enjoying good preaching,

singing and fellowship.

With the loving support and care of her dear sister, Pearl, and beloved brother-in-law, dear

Paul, Eddie Mae remained in her home for several years. However, in 2011, due to declining

health, she moved into her new home at Gilpin Hall where she received exceptional service

and care. Eddie Mae loved the Gilpin Hall staff and the staff loved her.

Over the decades, Eddie Mae’s enjoyed traveling to Florida; watching “The Young and the

Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”; and hosting some of the best block parties in

Wilmington for family and friends. Eddie Mae enjoyed life and up to the age of 101, she was

designing jewelry, creating artwork, completing find-the-word puzzles, and playing BINGO

with two cards!!

As the beloved matriarch of the Bryant family, she was known for telling jokes, sharing family

history and stories of the older days, as well as giving support to her family and friends. Eddie

Mae was a firm believer, that prayer changes things and that God answers prayers.

At the age of 101 and 8 months, Eddie Mae had a sound mind, remarkable memory (sharp as a

tack) and a reasonable portion of good health! What a glorious blessing!

Eddie Mae will truly be missed, not only by her loving family, but everyone else who knew her,

loved her and was touched by her amazing life.

Peacefully, early Saturday morning October 14, 2023, Eddie Mae Griffin folded her arms over

her heart, closed her eyes and joined her husband, Gene Griffin; her son, Carl Gene; her father

and mother, Eddie and Alberta Bryant; sister, Minne Lee “Tinnie” Redden; seven brothers,

Columbus, Calvin, John, James Dolphe “JD”, Isaiah “Dilly”, Rogers and Leroy Bryant; six

aunts, seven uncles, one brother-in-law; five sisters-in-law; mother in-law; father-in-law; four

nieces; nine nephews; seven cousins and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She leaves to cherish her beautiful memories and legacy: two loving sisters, Pearl Livingston

of Wilmington, DE, Berta Bryant of Oakland CA; one devoted brother-in-law, Paul Livingston

or Wilmington, DE; one caring sister-in-law, Minnie Lee Bryant of Lehigh Acres, FL; a host of

loving nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins, other relatives, a special “God

daughter”’ Kimberly Fountain, her Gilpin Hall Family, Ezion Mt. Carmel Family, and many

loving and sorrowing friends.