Lavada Lee Gage Griggs

Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel with Monte Tuttle officiating. Interment: Oaklawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include Brent Gage, Brian Gage, David Gage, Andrew Gage, Zach Gage and Eric Gage. Honorary pallbearers include Monte Shaw and Mac McCrary.

Lavada was born June 18, 1917 in the Sycamore Community to Merlin Monroe and Buna Lee ( Griffeth)Gage. She was a graduate of Slidell High School. After high school she attended and graduated from North Texas Teacher's College in Denton.

Lavada began her teaching career in a two-room school house in the Allison Community. Two years later she began teaching in Decatur where she taught before and during WWII. She met William Lunsford Griggs and they married March 1, 1946 after he returned home from the War.

They were a loving aunt and uncle to their many nieces and nephews. They were blessed with a daughter, Melinda Kay Griggs after many years of marriage.

Lavada loved teaching. Her teaching career took her to Oklahoma, Granbury and Irving, Texas. She taught in Irving ISD for over 30 years where she taught third grade at Lee Britain Elementary before retiring in 1984. After retirement they moved back to Decatur and she was a life member of the PTA, and an active member of the Decatur Women's Club, Decatur Hospital Auxiliary and the Retired Teachers Association.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Melinda Reeves and husband, Jack of Decatur; two grandsons, Josh William Reeves of Dallas and Jase Ryan Reeves of Huntsville, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Lavada is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Bill Griggs, two brothers, Ralph and J.G. Gage, and two sisters, Merlyne Hunt and Roberta Buchanan.

Family requests memorials be made to the Decatur Education Foundation, 503 E. Collins, Decatur, Texas 76234.

Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home 940/627-5959

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With sympathy to Melinda and family,

I learned of Lavada's death today and wanted to reach out to extend thoughts and prayers. Bill, Lavada and Melinda were long time Irving neighbors and I have lost touch over the years; often wondering how they were doing.
Having lost both of my parents several years now I understand the saddness with the loss of parents and extend heartfelt understanding. Please cheerish the memories and know you will see them again in Heaven.

Hugs and prayers,

Annette Goolsby Gifford-Handel
annette.gifford@yahoo.com

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