Melba Griffin Hollis
With sadness, love and profound gratitude, the family of Melba Griffin Hollis, 88, of Ruston, announces her passing on May 13, 2022, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, at the home of her daughter.
Melba Hogue, the eldest child of John Haltom and Minnie Lou Coleman Hogue was born in Strong, Arkansas, on June 24, 1933.
Raised in and around El Dorado, Arkansas., Melba was married in 1948 to Coy Griffin, who was then on leave from serving in the Army in the Philippines.
Upon his return, the couple lived and worked at various jobs in Robstown, Texas and El Dorado, where they had six children, who all graduated from El Dorado High School. She made sure all of her children learned about Jesus, taking them to church each Sunday.
She loved going to church — even though getting everyone dressed and ready on Sunday morning was quite the ordeal.
She sang in church choirs for many years, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School with varying age groups.
She loved being a member of several ladies’ prayer groups through the years. Outside of church activities, she loved playing the card game Rook with her two brothers and their spouses, watching westerns and planning family gatherings.
Her children, along with scores of relatives and friends, gather for a popular annual event, Griffin Junefest.
For more than 40 years, she, along with sister-in-law, Marguerite Griffin, have served as powerful matriarchs of the annual reunion.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Coy Griffin and James Hollis of Spearsville; her son, John Allen Griffin of Dallas; and her brothers, Wayne Hogue of Spearsville, and Tom Winferd Hogue of El Dorado.
Survivors include her children, Barbara Marrable (Jim) of Arkadelphia and Ruston, Donald Griffin (Linda) of Ruston, Doug Griffin (Karen) of Arkadelphia, Tina Griffin of Ruston, and Brenda Sutley (Bill) of Arkadelphia; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Marguerite Griffin of Victoria, Texas and Nelda Hogue of Spearsville; and several nieces and nephews, which includes a special niece, Angela Hogue Turner of El Dorado.
Pallbearers will be Laine Griffin, Austin Griffin, Coy Sutley, Roy Wayne Griffin, David Griffin and Drew Griffin. Honorary pallbearers will be Everett H. Griffin, Jr., Willard Griffin, John Frisby and Mike Risley.
Funeral will be held at Bailey Funeral Home, 400 N. College, in El Dorado on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Lawson, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, c/o Gary Hill, 2963 Lawson Road, El Dorado, AR 71730.
