Mary Agnes Griffin's Obituary
On October 26, 1922, Mary Agnes Maisel was born into the family of Gus L. and Mary Henry Maisel. Aggie, as she was known to all, had 3 older brothers and 2 younger brothers. Aggie attended Galveston schools and graduated from Galveston?s Ball High in 1941.
Aggie worked for Krueger?s Jewelers in Galveston and then moved to Austin in 1943 to attend the University of Texas. Before she began classes Krueger?s Jewelers promoted her to the prestigious position of Buyer. She worked with Krueger?s for 8 years.
While in Austin, she met and fell in love with James David Griffin. They were married in Austin?s War Memorial Methodist on November 15th, 1947. Aggie and Jim were blessed with their first child, Mary Elizabeth, on July 24, 1949; followed by Jim Jr. on December 19, 1951 and Charlie on April 30, 1953. Thus began her life-long love for her husband and family, a love that lasted for more than 56 years.
In 1950, the family moved to the Roundtop Texas area and then on to College Station, Texas by 1954. Aggie was very active in the schools and summer recreation programs in College Station. In addition, she was actively involved in running the family businesses, especially when Jim was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1967, the family moved to Longview, Texas.
In Longview, Aggie returned to her love for the jewelry business as she and Jim opened Griffin?s Jewelers and later Mr. and Mrs. G?s. Aggie specialized in helping young couples pick out the perfect set of wedding rings while providing loving advice for their new future together and helping those husbands to continue to surprise their wives with treasured gifts. Perhaps the greatest joy she had was in helping the children of ?her couples? when their times came for wedding rings and advice. Even after selling the store in 1996, ?Mrs. G? was always being stopped by well-wishers that she helped over the years.
She loved life and people, and demonstrated this through her ministering to her fellow seniors at Greggton United Methodist. Yet she always saved the softest spot in her heart for the young people. Whether at the church, the grocery store, restaurants, or wherever, she loved young people. She often went out as much to see her youngsters as to keep her home supplied. She ?adopted? any child she met that needed special love, and was a doting Grandmother to so many more.
Aggie was ahead of her time and was a champion for the down-trodden. She was a spirited advocate for women?s and minorities? rights long before these causes were popular. Her caring and compassion for others and her Lord went deep.
She leaves behind 4 grandchildren by birth and too many step-grandchildren and ?adopted?-grandchildren to count. Two brothers and numerous nieces and nephews also survive Aggie.
Those of us who knew her already miss her more than we can share.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM Monday, July 12, 2004 at Greggton United Methodist Church with Dr. Lynn Settlemyre and Reverend Emmitt Barrow officiating. Entombment will follow in Rosewood Park Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday afternoon from 4-6 PM.
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