Minden, LA

Ruth Marie Duke

Griffin

Ruth Marie Duke Griffin, 88 of Minden, LA went to be with her Lord on October 19, 2015. Services celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m. October 22, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden with Rev. Jim Phillips officiating. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory in Minden. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden. Ruth was born April 3, 1927, and spent her happy childhood growing up in the Summerfield community, among her large extended family. Her mother, Willie Bailey Duke, father, George A. Duke, her sisters, Karlene DeFatta, Dorothy Summers,, and brother, George E. Duke, preceded her in death. She especially loved her Uncle Foster and Aunt Mable Bailey and was very close to their children. She is also preceded in death by her husband. William Glen Griffin, and her son, William Glen Griffin, Jr., and grandson, Steve Williamson. She is survived by her children, Jan Starks and husband Ken of Natchitoches, Gary Griffin of Minden, Becky Sanders and husband Larry of Cotton Valley, and daughter-in-law, Mary Griffin of Alto. She is also survived by grandchildren, Brad Griffin, Marc Griffin, Christine Peddy, David Peddy, Lisa Frontaura, Duane Starks, Brandi Starks, Bradley Starks, Renee Caldwell, Emily Love, Riley Griffin, Barbara Cheatham, Amber Coderre, and Ashley Fuller, (16) great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved her very much. Ruth loved all of nature and her happiest times were spent outdoors. She loved gardening and collected and grew tropical plants in her greenhouse. She was also a wildflower enthusiast and a former member of the Louisiana Native Plant Society. She also served many years as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Shreveport Regional Bromeliad Society and won numerous awards for her plants at national events. In recent years, she enjoyed bird watching with her family, either from her back porch or on special birding adventures. Her grandchildren loved visiting her home on Batton St., where she taught them how to construct forts, make bows and arrows and play outdoor games. Ruth was a faithful member of Parkway Baptist Church for nearly 60 years and loved her church family. Memorials can be made to Parkway Baptist Church, 16016 Hwy 79, Minden, LA 71055. Pallbearers will be Wayne Carpenter, Bruce Griffin, David Kerley, Bill Weeks, Ricky Daniels, and Keith McClung. The family extends a special thanks to the staff of Town and Country Nursing Home and Gamble Hospice.   Rose-Neath Funeral Home 211 Murrell Street Minden, Louisiana 71055 (318) 377-3412 Fax (318) 377-0227