Horace L. Griffin

Life’s Memorial of Horace L. Griffin “Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, Let me stand.” Horace Lucious Griffin was born on December 26, 1929 in the community of Sweet Home located near the town of Giddings, Texas. He was the only child born to Horace L. G. Griffin and Tishie James Griffin. At the age of 5 years old, Horace experienced the loss and passing of his mother. His father passed away a few years later. Horace was reared by his paternal grandparents, Sanford and Anna Bell Griffin and years later by his paternal aunts. He joined Sweet Home Church and was baptized in a tank of Rose Francis called "Aunt Rose”. Every Sunday he and the family attended Sunday School and Sunday service. Horace attended the Giddings public school until he was needed to assist with tending to the family farm. Being the only child, Horace worked alongside his grandfather and aunts trying to maintain a farm. He worked diligently plowing fields, attending to cattle, farm animals as well as everyday chores. He often would say his “day would start before morning and end after night”. During his teenage years, Horace experienced the loss of his grandfather and two aunts. At the age of 18 years old he left the farm and moved to Austin, Texas. In 1946 Horace united with the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Austin, Texas pastored by the Reverend Hebert A. Sneed. Horace met his love and future wife Dorothy A. Alexander Griffin. The couple were united in holy matrimony on June 24, 1949, and the union was blessed with three children: Cathy Lynn, Debra Ann and Gregg Alan Griffin. Horace and Dorothy were blessed to witness over 40 years of marriage, until her death on April 3, 1990. As a member of the Mount Olive church Horace served faithfully in the choir, usher ministry, Sunday School and bus driver whenever the church traveled across the state to various conventions and church services. In 1974 he was ordained as a deacon of the church by the late Reverend Raphael C. Smith. Horace Griffin was employed by the Scarborough’s Department Store, City of Austin and several trucking companies. He was self-employed through the Conwell Smith Transportation Company of Austin, Texas as a commercial truck driver for 37 years. Horace’s life journey moved to Houston, Texas where he united in marriage to Ethel Harris Griffin. Through this union Horace was blessed of a “bonus daughter” (Glenda Sandling) and grandson (Marcus Sandling). He joined with Mount Horem Baptist Church of Houston, Texas under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Thomas F. Freeman. He and his wife later united with the Jordan Grove Baptist Church, under the pastorage of Reverend Danny Davis. Horace was a faithful Sunday School attendee, past president and member of the Usher’s Ministry. After 21 years of marriage his wife Ethel passed away on August 13, 2012. Horace remained in Houston, Texas faithfully attending church services and being an active member of two senior citizens community centers. He enjoyed traveling to historical sites around the state of Texas and sharing with others about the various cities they would visit. As a member of the Greater Houston Third Ward Senior Citizens Activity Center, he enjoyed the daily fellowship of friends, Bible lessons, hymn leading and playing dominos. He met Bertie Chew and they remained special friends until her passing. Horace was loved by the Chew family and was affectionately called “Piepee”. As God would have it and the time had come, in November 2019 Horace Griffin returned from Houston, Texas to Austin, Texas to be with his children and family. He reinstated his membership with the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church and continued his service as deacon until his death. On Friday night June 5, 2026 the evening night darkened toward a new day Horace L. Griffin rested in the arms of Jesus to be with the Lord. Those loved ones preceding him in Heaven’s reward his wife of 40 years Dorothy Alexander Griffin, In-Laws Ethel Randolph Sharp, Reverend Bill Odems, Mattie Odems, and wife of 21 years Ethel Harris Griffin. He leaves this earthly dwelling in mourning: Four Children – Cathy Lynn Williams (Allen), Debra Griffin Gilbert, Gregg Alan Griffin (all of Austin, Texas) and Glenda Sandling (Houston, Texas). Sister-In-Laws Evelyn Hendricks (Austin, TX) and Annette Glover (Yuma, AZ), Brother-In-Law Reverend Demoseneeds Odems, Jr. (Willie). Four grandchildren: Kenneth Himes, II (Kaye), Pia Gilbert (Rocque), James Gilbert (of Austin, TX) and Dr. Marcus Sandling (New York, NY). Seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. His extended family includes the Chew Family of Houston, TX: Bonus Daughters: Diane (Lancaster, TX), Rosalind, (Houston, TX) Sharon (Houston, TX), the entire Bertie Chew family and friends. May his life continue to illuminate God’s grace and mercy through the many lives encountered during his life’s journey. “Take my hand, precious Lord and lead me on.”

Tributes

Horace L. Griffin

December 26, 1929 - June 5, 2026