Dorothy Rapsilver Griffin

DOROTHY AILEENE RAPSILVER GRIFFIN walked through the gates of Heaven on July 12, 2011. Dorothy was born on December 27, 1919 at the home of a relative in Austin, Texas. Her parents, Edwin Edward Rapsilver and Nell Hamilton (Smith) Rapsilver lived and raised their family in Pattison. At the age of 12, Dorothy and her family moved to Brookshire to reside on the same property that her home is on today. While a student at Sam Houston State College, she met the love of her life, James Hilton Griffin. They married June 13, 1942. The day before they were married, James told Dorothy that growing up as an only child he dreamed of and intended to raise a house full of children. Their union was blessed with seven children, 22 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Katherine Rapsilver and Eddie Mayberry, her husband, her eldest son James Edwin Griffin, granddaughter Sara Christine Griffin and great-grandson J.J. Poffenberger. She is survived by sister Lila Grace and husband Dr. Stanley Thompson, daughter-in-law Dr. Loysanne Griffin, son Charles Danforth Griffin and wife Pat, daughter Katherine Griffin Wilson and husband Charles Wilson, son John Hilton Griffin and wife Joanie, daughter Laura Griffin Menchaca and husband Dr. Richard Menchaca, son Robert Linton Griffin and Deane Van Nort, and son Roger Dean Griffin and wife Rena. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Dr. Ana Katherine G. Curry and husband Dr. Gene Curry, children Alex, Nicole, Rachel and Michael; Lara Elizabeth G. Teague and husband Joey, children Trenton, Colton and Corbin; Cara Ellen Griffin and Andrew Rama; Tricia G. Olson and husband Kevin, children Davis and Brennan; Katherine Elizabeth Wilson and children Kiara and Danielle; Stacianne Morgan Wilson; John Hamilton Griffin and wife Bree, children Bella, Hope and June; Kelley Marie G. Kruzel and husband Jason, children Caleb, Micah, Grace and Eva; Michael Edwin Griffin and wife Laura; Jamie Lin G. Wilson and husband Roy, child Joanie; Dorothea Jane Smith Junt and husband Don; Aaron Gregory Smith; Richard Griffin Menchaca; Ryan Alexander Menchaca; John Thomas Menchaca; James Robert Griffin; Carrie Christine G. Poffenberger and husband Marcus, children Lillie and Laney; Charles Daniel Griffin and Tiffane Harris, children Elizabeth and Aiden; Brandon James Griffin; Christina Lee Griffin; and Grant Hamilton Griffin. Dorothy enjoyed her rural childhood in the communities of Pattison and Brookshire. She graduated from Katy High School at the age of 16 and attended Sam Houston State Teachers College. She briefly attended Texas Women's College and played on the college softball team before returning and graduating from Sam Houston State in 1940. She earned her Masters degree from Prairie View A&M in 1977. She taught school in Channelview for two years before marrying James. The couple resided in Freeport during World War II where James was a Chemical Engineer for Dow Chemical and Dorothy worked as a payroll clerk. The family moved to Abilene where they purchased a soap factory and James began his consulting engineering business. They returned to Brookshire in 1949. Dorothy returned to teaching at Royal ISD and retired after touching the lives of many children and families in the Brookshire and Pattison communities. She greatly enjoyed traveling with James after her retirement, visiting many countries all over the world. Creating and sharing her art and music was an important part of her life. Dorothy was an accomplished pianist and played most of her life for church groups and other organizations. She has written many poems during her lifetime and enjoyed reading, word games and puzzles. Dorothy's greatest joy and pastime was her family. She and James not only filled their home with their children, they welcomed John and Richard Evans, sons of a business associate and friend to become a part of the family for three years after the death of their mother. Her students at Royal, friends of her children and many who needed assistance or help were considered her family and welcomed into her home. For many years, she decorated her home during the holidays with Christmas trees and nativity scenes and welcomed tours from classes at Royal and residents of the Brookshire Nursing Home. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Brookshire, Order of the Eastern Star and The United Daughters of the Confederacy. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 397, Brookshire, TX 77423.