Mary Ellis Hines Griffin

Our beloved Mary Hines Griffin was born December 12, 1935, in Trinity, NC, to the late James Wesley Hines and Mable (Frazier) Hines. She peacefully departed this life on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Mary Griffin was raised in High Point, NC, where she was a faithful member Saint Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AME). After graduating from William Penn High School, Mary met and shortly after married Melvin Griffin. This union was blessed with four children.

After raising her children, Mary began her studies and earned a B.S. Degree in History Education and an M.S. Degree in History from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She also received an M.S. Degree in Vocational Education from North Carolina State University.

Mary and Melvin transferred their church membership to Trinity AME Zion in 1974 under the leadership of the late Bishop Cecil Bishop. Mary was deeply committed to religious, social, and educational programs, as evidenced by her commitment and leadership in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church. Her involvement was visible as she faithfully served her church on the Sanctuary Choir, the Usher Board, and the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Her leadership roles were instrumental in impacting many youth at Trinity as a youth director, advisor to the Teenage Missionary Society (TAMS), Director of Christian Education, and Sunday School Teacher. Under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Mitchell, Mary was instrumental in establishing the Cultural Arts Ministry a subsidairy of the Department of Christian Education that raised thousands of dollars for the Dr. Frank White Scholarship. Due to Mary's failing health, she stepped down from her positions at the church in 2021. Under Reverend Reverend Dr. Mitchell, she was named Christian Education Director Emeritus, and the Cultural Arts Ministry was renamed the Mary Hine Griffin Cultural Arts Ministry. Mary help appointed positions within the Greensboro District, and the West Central North Carolina Conference. Under Bishop Ruben Speaks, she spearheaded along with church historians, the first history book of the 100 churches in the West Central North Carolina AME Zion Conference that was published in 2008. This book is on file at the Library of Congress. Mary was reappointed as Conference Historian in 2021 under the leadership of Bishop Darryl Starnes, Sr.

Mary's professional career began as a teacher in the Alamance County School system at Western Alamance High School, where she was a special education teacher. She transitioned to the Guilford County School system as a Vocational Special Needs/Industrial Education Coordinator at Southeast High School. After retirement, Mary continued work as a consultant- The Special Needs Division, NC Department of Public Instruction. She also volunteered to participate in reading programs for elementary school children.

A life member, and Silver Star of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she was initiated into the Beta Iota Omega Chapter in 1976. She held 46 years of continuous service in the chapter. She was a strong advocate for youth and education, which led her to serve as the chapter's scholarship chairperson for multiple years. She was renowned for her service to the chapter's cotillion and dedicated to ensuring that young ladies were recognized at their high school awards ceremony. As a certified graduate advisor for the sorority, Mary served several years as a graduate advisor to N.C. A&T State University, Bennett College, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. One of her highest sorority honors was receiving the Leah Kay Frazier Award at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in recognition of giving her time and talents in the realm of "Service with a Global Perspective." Mary was instrumental in collecting over one million books from the local school system for shipment to South Africa.

Mary, along with her late husband Melvin (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity), was instrumental in the chartering of the second graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in Greensboro. Both ensured the interest group had the resources to be successful. Mary performed an integral role serving as a facilitator and ensured every detail was guranteed to succeed. The unwavering support of Mary and Melvin provided a solid foundation for the Sigma Kappa Omega chartering on March 18, 1990.

Mary was also involved in various professional and civic organizations. Mary was a member of the N.C. Association of Educators, N.C. Vocational Association, Board of Directors, and the President of N.C. Vocational Advisor Counsel (1995-1997).

She was a life member of Jack and Jill of America and served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Associates Chair for several years. She also is a charter member of the Guilford County Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction. Mary received many awards as an educator and counselor in the Guilford County School system.

Mary enjoyed traveling, including visiting her children wherever they were in the states. She also ventured overseas, traveling with her children wherever they were in the states. She also ventured overseas, traveling with her children on trips to Germany, France, Japan, and Holland. She had a conviction to exercise regularly as she was the oldest and fastest in her daily community walking group.

Preceding her in death are her husband, Melvin W. Griffin, Sr.; grandchildren, Matthew Farkas, Dustin Farkas; sisters, Helen Rice, Phyllis Ann Latta; brothers, James Hines, Paul Hines, Gilbert Hines; special brother in-law, Albert Latta.

Mary is survived by her four children, Wesley (Benita), Melvin Jr., Karen, Bryant (Licette); six grandchildren, Lavonne Griffin, Melvin Griffin III, Andre Griffin, Garrison Lacy, MArtin Alexander, Marcus Alexander; six great-grandchildren, Mashayah, Melvin IV, Ariya, Messiah, Bryce, Athena; one brother, Clarence Hines of California; three nieces, Vanessa Bell-Calloway, Pamela Hines, Debbie Hines; three nephews, Darryl Hines David Rice, Michael Rice; one great nephew, Dwayne Hines.

Funeral will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 2pm Trinity AME Zion Church. 1pm Visitation. Interment will be at 11 am, Sunday, November 13, at the Lake View Memorial Park, 3600 N.O' Henry Blvd., Greensboro, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mary H. Griffin to the Greensboro Brain Tumor Association at the Wesley Long Cancer Center or the Mary Hines Griffin Cultural Arts Ministry at Trinity AME Zion Church.

Additional donations may also be made in memory of Mrs. Mary Griffin at ElmStreetRun.com to support The Triad Be Head Strong Organization. The organization supports caregivers and patients with brain tumors.

Service will be Live Stream at perryjbrownfuneralhome.com.