McDonald-Horne Funeral Home, Inc. | Blytheville, AR
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Obituary For Kelsey Harrison-Griffin
Kelsey Laverne Harrison - Griffin passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday December 12, 2021. Kelsey was born November 11, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to W.B. and Lucille Warren Harrison. She graduated high school earlier than most, at the age of 16 in 1969 from Blytheville High School. Following graduation she attended Arkansas State University, and also the University of Colorado graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. While attending college, she met John Rason Griffin, Jr at a college basketball game that her future husband was playing in. After long distance dating from Oklahoma to Arkansas the two would get married and have two children Kyndra Rashea Griffin, and John Ranson Griffin, III. Kelsey was preceded in death by her parents W.B. Harrison and Lucille Warren Harrison. Kelsey is survived by her husband, John Griffin, Jr., her son and daughter in law John Rason Griffin, III and Rebecca Awazi Kudu-Griffin; her daughter Kyndra Griffin; her sister Twyla Harrison, and other family members and friends. Services of remembrance will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of McDonald Horne Funeral Home, 1207 South Division Street, Blytheville, Arkansas. Those family and friends wishing to remember Kelsey in a special are welcome to convey positive and inspiring words regarding her legacy on our planet earth during her services. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mhfuneralhomeinc. or visit us on Facebook@ McDonald-Horne Funeral Home. We are requesting that the practices of social distancing and wearing face masks are observed during the visitation and funeral service. McDonald-Horne Funeral Home is in charge of all services and arrangements.
Guest Book
Deepest condolences —-Vivian Grayson
- Vivian Grayson
Oh my I'm hurt we didn't know. I remember when we were kids and they come to Joiner At and visit with our Aunt Charsie Ross. We were little Kaye Kaye that me, Roosevelt Jr, and Donnie. We would all sit on the porch and eat Aunties famous homemade ice cream while the women had a Bible study and etc. Those girl was huge over us y'all and skinny. We used to love when they came from to Auntie house. I'm going to miss Kelsey Mim and I would go to Blytheville and she would see us and gave mom and I the biggest hugs and we reminisce on those days. I'm sorry to hear of her transition. I hope Twyla , Kids and husband the peace and comfort they so deserve. Rest In Peace Kelsey. KayeKaye
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To the family of Kelsey Harrison-Griffin, we the members of the Gilfield MB church send our condolences to you. We remember you as a child, watching you grow up, and you and your family participating in our church community. Our hearts are sad. We share many memorable moments. May God continue to bless the family.
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My sincerest and deepest condolences go out to the family. Some of my fondest memories are with Kyndra and Mrs. Griffin. She was a lot of fun!! Always treated me very well. I really wish I could've been there to celebrate her life with you all. But I'll always have those memories. Brandi Hunter
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Words are inadequate to express my shock and sadness at the passing of my soror, Kelsey. May she rest in peace and know that I and many AKA sorors and friends will miss her. God has called a beautiful, strong willed and much beloved spirit home. Soror Renonia V.Mitcham
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Kelsey and I were elementary school besties at George Washington Carver in Luxora AR. We were inseparable. After she transferred to Harrison in Blytheville we kinda lost touch until around 1995 when I attended my grandmother's funeral in Detroit. I had no idea she lived there but somehow Kelsey found out I was in Detroit and made it to the church right before we were leaving for the cemetery. Although very brief, our reconnection was a joyous one. For about 2 or 3 minutes we managed to cram a lot of memories and laughter in that wee bit of time. I will always remember that day and my friendship with Kelsey. The Lord bless you (the family), and keep you: The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26); especially to you Twyla, who may not remember me but I have a little of her. God bless all of you. Vickie Robinson-Richardson
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Your light will forever shine.... Lessie Johnson Hill
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Memories! Memories! those sweet memories. I will miss our holiday 24-hour chat sessions; we would always spend an inordinate amount of time drinking tea, staying awake all night, and trying to cram years of catching up into one day. I will never forget our college days when we traveled out of state in sleet and snow to attend athletic games, sometimes skidding all the way. I will always remember Kel's kindness and generosity. Her car was known as the community car because she shared it with all of us. She was not judgmental and she was always able to adjust to any situation in which she found herself. No matter what the circumstances were, she always managed to find humor. As we bid her farewell from this earthly life, we will simply say adieu until...Love and Sadness, Roomie, Mary Greer Leaks
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In loving memory of our cousin Kelsey Harrison Griffin To the immediate family and many friends of Kelsey Harrison Griffin; words cannot begin to express our family's sorrow in the passing of one who's heritage is as deeply rooted in the John and Joella Harrison family tree as our on. From earlier days together as youth, Kelsey is remembered during the many Harrison family gatherings as one who was full of life and with great expectations. We know sometimes when a love one is taken unexpectedly, it is easy in our sorry to feel that life doesn't make any sense. However we hope you can find peace in knowing that she understood and fulfilled God's purpose in using her talents to serve others. Her career as a third generation educator helped shape and change the lives of many others for the better. Therefore from our family, there are no goodbyes and she knows that wherever she is, she will always be in our heart. Rest in Peace with your heavenly father, our sister. The Shumpert Family – Winnie Shumpert Bender - Sacramento, CA; JoeAnner Shumpert Vinson -Tulsa, OK; Nathaniel Shumpert - Birdsong, AR; Edwin Shumpert - Benton, AR; Deloise Shumpert Smith - Houston, TX; Sarah Shumpert King – Little Rock, AR – Theodore Shumpert – Marianna, AR.
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My heart is saddened by the passing of Kelsey Harrison (as I knew her). We were inseparable friends while she attended Harrison High School. Many nights were spent at the Harrison's home engulfed in books, games, giggling, and Mrs. Harrison's never ending treats; oh yeah, and trying to keep younger sister Twyla out of the room (lol). Friendship with Kelsey and embracing her family were a package deal because Mr. Harrison was not letting Kelsey far from sight!!! We still managed to get a few past him though - I'll never tell... Through the years I have thought about Kelsey many, many times, wondered about her life path, and wished her much joy. It gratifies my heart deeply to know that she continued her quest for knowledge; retained our love of books, and found a full measure of joy and happiness with her husband and children. I will never forget Kelsey Harrison and my world is a little less beautiful knowing we will not be reunited on this earth. I will look to that day when I hear her laughter and get a swift punch to the shoulder at heaven's door. Kelsey Harrison-Griffin loved and was loved... Lora Savage (aka Sefakor Amaa) Harrison High School
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My heart is saddened by the passing of Kelsey Harrison (as I knew her). We were inseparable friends while she attended Harrison High School. Many nights were spent at the Harrison's home engulfed in books, games, giggling, and Mrs. Harrison's never ending treats; oh yeah, and trying to keep younger sister Twyla out of the room (lol). Friendship with Kelsey and embracing her family were a package deal because Mr. Harrison was not letting Kelsey far from sight!!! We still managed to get a few past him though - I'll never tell... Through the years I have thought about Kelsey many, many times, wondered about her life path, and wished her much joy. It gratifies my heart deeply to know that she continued her quest for knowledge; retained our love of books, and found a full measure of joy and happiness with her husband and children. I will never forget Kelsey Harrison and my world is a little less beautiful knowing we will not be reunited on this earth. I will look to that day when I hear her laughter and get a swift punch to the shoulder at heaven's door. Kelsey Harrison-Griffin loved and was loved... Lora Savage (aka Sefakor Amaa) Harrison High School
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Kyndra, John III, Twyla and Gloria: As I think of the life of Kel as my sister called her, I shall share with you memories of the Kelsey that I knew. What a phenomenal woman was she! She had an intellectual curiosity that was unparalleled; an infectious laugh that was catching and an unbridled quest for knowledge that could not be quelled. She had a lifelong love affair with books—they were her constant companions. She had a quick wit, and she was an excellent raconteur. She could entertain for hours as she wended her way through a mundane tale that was rendered both fascinating and compelling simply by her rendition. I remember the days that she would meet my sister at my mother's house during the Christmas holidays. To our utter amazement, the two of them would reminisce, giggle, and whisper the entire night (Kelsey was a night owl). But "[l]ife for her aint been no crystal stair" to quote Langston Hughes. She faced her share of travails, strife, disappointments and vicissitudes. Yet, she met these monsters with dignity, determination and aplomb. She never complained or blamed others for her plight. She forged ahead with her trademark chuckle and did not look back. That sonorous voice is still now; the storytelling is no more, her laughter is but a fleeting memory, but she will be ever-present in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her. It is said that when a child dies, a page in the book of life is ripped from its binding, but when an elder dies, the entire book is destroyed. While we are unable to preserve the entire book, we shall preserve our own personal chapters and keep them in the recesses of our memories forever. Thus, she shall always be in our midst here on earth. While she is no longer physically here, she is now with the ancestors regaling them with her many interesting and fascinating stories. May she rest in intellectual curiosity, laughter, love, and peace. D.Greer
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- McDonald-Horne Funeral Home, Inc. | Blytheville, AR