Joanne Griffin

Joanne “Jo” Griffin, 73, of Channelview, Texas, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020, in Baytown, Texas. She was born on April 10, 1947, in West Plains, Missouri, to the late Roy Lee Lowe and Zeta Harris Lowe. Jo graduated from West Plains High School in 1965. She married the love of her life, Mike Griffin, and they spent the next 52 years together while raising their family. After high school, she attended Southwest Missouri State University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree. She also attended Mary-Hardin Baylor to gain her teaching certificate. Later she graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with her Master’s Degree in education. Jo was a fiercely loyal person, who taught school for Channelview ISD, where she retired after 30 years of sharing her love and knowledge with her students. Jo was once named Teacher of the Year.  She continually innovated to bring new ideas into her classroom and was a mentor to many coworkers.  

Jo was a supportive and passionate person who pursued many interests, some of which were spending time with her family, reading, teaching, listening to music, and attending to her plants. If you asked anyone that knew Jo, they would say that she was a friend to all. She was always there if someone needed her and friends of her children considered her an adopted mom. She was an excellent listener, but she could also be darn stubborn and opinionated.  

Jo was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Dorothy Epley, and an infant sister. She leaves behind to cherish her loving memory, her beloved husband Mike; her children Leticia Little and husband Christopher of Houston, and Martin Griffin and wife Nacha of Houston; her grandchildren Jack and Alyssa Little, and Navy and Andre Griffin; her nieces Reta Kay Crass of West Plains, Missouri, Diane Locke of West Plains, Missouri, and a host of other loving relatives and friends. 

A graveside service will be held for Mrs. Griffin at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 1, 2020 in Sterling~White Cemetery with Minister Doug Rainbolt officiating.  

Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.sterlingwhite.com.