A celebration of the life of Evelyn L. Griffin will occur on
Saturday, August 17,2024
Memorial Service 11:00 a.m..
Sharon Baptist Church
3955 Conshohocken Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Interment: Private
The Obituary
Evelyn Lorraine Newman was born in Delaware County Pennsylvania, the youngest of three children born to the late Samuel and Christina Newman. Her siblings, Minnie Clara, and Samuel Jr. preceded her in death. Later in life, she met and married the love of her life, William Henry Griffin (deceased), and out of that union, two beautiful daughters were born.
She attended Primary, Middle and Secondary schools in the Philadelphia District. Evelyn was gainfully employed by the Boeing Aerospace, and General Electric Companies where she wired and soldered electrical components used to operate various types of machinery. Later, she studied cosmetology which led her to become the most sought-after beautician in the city of Philadelphia. After many years of beautifying women by the touch of her hands, she decided to change careers. Over a five-year span, two certifications were attained enabling her to obtain employment in the fields of Home Care and Housekeeping Management. She retired from the Philadelphia Navy Yard as the housekeeping supervisor after fifteen years of employment.
Evelyn was quite a character. She was fun loving, full of energy and very, very witty. Not even she fully understood the breadth and positive impact of her effortless wit and timeless sense of humor. There was something about the way she arranged words, coupled with tone, that made people laugh from the pit of their bellies. Her response to their laughter was “What’s funny, do you think I’m a joke?” She would be dead serious, resulting in more laughter!
Even though she was only five feet tall, she was a giant in the eyes of all who knew her!
She was known throughout her neighborhood as: Mom, Grandma, Sister, Auntie, and Friend. She maintained childhood friendships throughout her entire life, which is a testament to the love she shared with others. She made sure that everyone she encountered knew how much she loved her girls, how proud she was that all of her children and grandchildren graduated from college, and ultimately, that it all started with her! Taking center stage at family gatherings, she rarely passed up a chance to remind everyone that “If it weren’t for me, none of y’all would be here.” She kept everyone laughing!
Evelyn accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior very early in life. Through every victory and every trial, she would pay tribute to the goodness of God! She was a faithful member of the Sharon Baptist Church for many years under the pastorate of “Reverend Keith W. Reed Sr., Sr. Pastor-Teacher,” where she sang in the ‘tenor section’ of the Choir. Just past her 85th birthday, her health began to decline. She was diagnosed with COPD, Stage Four Lung Cancer, and Dementia but, who would have known it? Through it all, she remained fun loving, full of energy and of course, very, very, witty, until the Lord called her home. Evelyn transitioned peacefully into the presence of God while sleeping in her own bed, free from pain, and surrounded by loved ones, as was her lifelong prayer.
Evelyn leaves this legacy of love for God and family devotion to her distinguished daughters: Dr. Christina Griffin-Williams, Reverend Dr. Sheila Griffin-Salley (Harvey); special daughter, Denise Charity; her gracious grandchildren: Sheila Ames (Chris), Michael F. Harper Jr., (Tamar), Sharron Williams, Ashley M. Harper; her kind and generous great-grandchildren: Kha’ron Newton, Khristian Ames, Gabriella Harper, Cayla Walker, Dominic Harper; her noble nieces and nephews: Pierre Cliett (Leola), Scott Newman (Keya), Elaine Michael Newman-King (Franklin), Andre’ Green (June) and a host of relatives and friends.
Awaiting her in glory is her mother, Christina Newman; father, Samuel Newman Sr.; sister, Minnie Clara Green; brother, Samuel Newman Jr.; niece, Thelma Scott; and nephew Eric Newman, who have always remained in her heart.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family
