Barbara Ann Griffith

Barbara Ann Griffith passed away suddenly Sunday April 12, 2020 from complications due to the Covid-19 Virus. She was born on Nov 2, 1952 in Jacksonville, FL. At the time of death she was residing at Countryside Meadows in Avon, IN where she had been a resident since 2012.

She is preceded in death by her parents Lawrence W. and Ruth C. Griffith, Paternal Grandparents Howard and Mary Griffith and Maternal Grandparents John and Lillian Catchpole all of Columbus, OH.

Barbara is survived by sisters Mary A (John) Cavender of Canton, GA and Cindy R ( Mike) Long of Avon, IN, also Nephews Sean (Laura) Cutlip of Palm Coast, FL , Luke ( Shelby)Cutlip of Canton, GA, Jeremy (Rebecca) Long of Honolulu, HI and Brandon (Stephanie) Long of Lawson, CO.

She loved her dogs and always asked about them- calling them " the critters". She will be greatly missed by Gunther and Daisy!

Barbara contracted bacterial spinal meningitis at 6 mos of age and it not only deteriorated her spine but she also had some brain damage. She didn’t walk til age 3. Barb went to Neil Ave Crippled Children’s School in Columbus OH thru grade 6- After that she attended Grandview Hts Jr and Sr High and graduated in June of 1972. Going to public school was very hard on Barb transitioning from a place where all kids had some sort of disability to a regular school. She was bullied and made fun of because of her disability. She was tutored in several subjects and fought hard every day studying way in to the late hours just to maintain passing grades. One of the highlights of her life was to graduate HS and she did in June of 1972- just months after her dad died.

Barb held many jobs in the Columbus area after graduation. She loved to walk and even walked from her house in Grandview to Drs Hospital for her job in the cafeteria. Sometimes the firemen would see her and pick her up and give her a ride the rest of the way. She worked at a dry cleaners and also for Good Will. One of the most satisfying jobs she had was a kindergarten volunteer at Discovery Elementary in Deltona, FL... She loved those kids!!

Barb was very active at Lane Ave Baptist Church in Upper Arlington, OH- even singing in the choir for many years- she also attended several Baptist churches and gained membership in those throughout her yrs. She was a Christian and knew when it was time for the Lord to call her home she would once again be reunited with her parents in heaven.. running free of pain and suffering.

Though her body was crippled from the meningitis, her spirits never diminished. She always had a smile on her face and a joke to tell and loved to tease people. She made many friends over the years and was very popular with the staff at Countryside Meadows- she went by the name of the BAG lady- her initials!! Special thank you to all who cared for her and got to know her there over the last 8 yrs.

She was under the care of her sister and brother in law Cindy and Mike Long for almost 30 yrs since her mom passed in 1991- moving around different places was not a favorite of Barbs- but she adjusted very well each time- always making life long friends.

Cremation will take place in Indianapolis, IN and a memorial grave side service sometime later this Summer in Columbus, OH

I lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your local humane society or animal shelter- She loved all animals.

She will be dearly missed by all she touched- esp me!! Cindy