Marie Griffin, 84, passed away December 29, 2020, at her home in Hereford. Arrangements and cremation services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Griffin, her brothers W. E. Breazeale and Larry Breazeale, and her sisters Madene Cannon and Larene Fawcett. She is survived by her son, Rick Brown of Hereford, and daughter, Gina Blanton of Dallas, her grandchildren Tiffany Zebrun, Travis Brown, Celeste Nelson, Tara Sampson, and Jack Blanton. She had one great-grandchild, Carsyn Zebrun.

She will be remembered for her zest for life, for art, travel, and a neve rending ambition. Marie worked tirelessly for her special passion, helping those less fortunate. She developed the Paloma Lane Apartments, the La Plata Manor Apartments and contributed in the development of the Countryside Village and Hereford Central Place Apartments. All those properties serve the elderly, low income and handicapped. She actively managed La Plata Manor until just weeks before her passing.

Born in Mississippi in 1936, soon after her birth her family moved to Wellman, a small community south of Brownfield, Texas, where her family ran a general store. As soon as she was old enough, she contributed to the family income by "hopping" cars at the A&W drive-in restaurant in Brownfield where she met her future husband, Jesse Brown. She and Jessie were married for eleven years and had one child, Rick Brown.

Always eager to improve herself, Marie took night classes to learn stenography and typing which led to a job with the Brownfield Chamber of Commerce. That early exposure to the community through her work at the chamber guided her to a lifetime of community interest and philanthropy.

In the sixties, Marie moved to Umbarger, Texas where she opened a restaurant. There she met and married Gene Richardson, father of her second child, Gina Blanton, now of Dallas. Her short marriage to Gene was followed by a long and happy marriage with Jack Griffin of Hereford, founder of Griffin and Brand Produce. Marie moved to Hereford with Jack in the late 1960's where she lived ever since.

Jack and Marie Griffin actively participated in the Hereford community, contributing to numerous charities and projects, in particular the Senior Citizens Center and the Hereford YMCA, where Marie served on the board.

Never one to sit idly at home, Marie earned her real estate license and opened Griffin Real Estate in the early 1970's. She also obtained an insurance license and operated both a real estate business and insurance agency out of the building she built at 506 S. 25 Mile Ave, now the home of Flowers West. Marie's life and many ventures left a positive mark on the citizens of Hereford.

Due to Covid, a memorial will be scheduled later in 2021 when friends and family can gather safely. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Hereford Senior Citizens Association.