Norma June Griffiths

Norma was born in the tiny community of Civil Bend in rural Daviess County, Missouri, to Webster Allen West and Emelie Helen Stelter West. In the 1930s, the family moved from Missouri to Woodlake in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. Norma’s father was a farmer and primarily raised table grapes. One of Norma’s fond memories was the wonderful fragrance of the orange blossoms in the nearby orchards. Shortly after graduating from high school, Norma married Granville D. Lasseter. The marriage lasted only a few years and there were no children. In 1950, she married Robert Lester Griffiths and they moved to Grants Pass, then relocated to Southern California. Two children were born, a daughter and a son. The family moved to Marin County in Northern California, and then settled in San Jose, managing and owning a department store. Another move followed some years later, back to Grants Pass, where they owned Griffiths Department Store. The couple divorced in 1972 after 22 years of marriage. Norma stayed in Grants Pass for a time, then moved to Corvallis in 1979 to be close to her daughter and her family. Norma was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church always was a fundamental part of her life. She served in many positions in the church, but serving in the children’s organization was her favorite. Norma always enjoyed working. She worked in the department stores while she was married, then with an insurance agency in Grants Pass. After moving to Corvallis, she worked for the Homebuilders Association and then was office manager of Housing for the Handicapped (now Home Life Inc.) for about 15 years, until progressive memory loss forced an unwanted “early” retirement at age 80. When Norma was only 6 years old, her maternal grandmother, “Little Gramma,” taught her embroidery. That was one of Norma’s favorite pastimes throughout her life. A “Twelve Days of Christmas” quilt with beautiful and intricate stitchery always will be treasured by the family. She also loved cooking for family and friends. Chocolate crazy cake, carrot cake and pink gelatin salad, along with many other recipes, will be very fondly remembered. Norma’s later years were a struggle with severe memory loss dementia. While we will greatly miss her, we are truly joyful that she now has regained her memories as she returns to her Father in Heaven and her family members who have gone on before. Preceding her in death were her former husband, Robert Lester Griffiths; and two sisters, Juanita Evelyn McGwire and Nancy Margaret Askins. She is survived by her sister, Velda Maxine Moore of Visalia, California; her brother, Myron Joe West of Visalia; her daughter, Terri-Lee Harper of Corvallis; and her son, David Jack Griffiths of Edmonds, Washington. She has 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank all those who loved and cared for Norma as she aged, especially Benton Hospice Service and Regent Court Memory Care. Services will take place Friday, Dec. 12. Viewing will commence at 9 a.m., with funeral services at 10 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1205 N.W. Walnut Blvd. in Corvallis. A short graveside ceremony will follow at Locke Cemetery north of Corvallis.

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Norma June Griffiths

January 23, 1923 - December 4, 2014