Milla Griffith

Milla Putnam Griffith, 97, known as "Bill" to her family and friends, passed away

May 2, 2012, in Columbia, South Carolina, with her family at her side. Milla was living with her daughter at the time of her passing. Prior to living with her daughter, her home was in Lincolnton, North Carolina.



One of ten children, Milla was born September 8, 1914, in Shelby, North Carolina, to Minnie Leona Threatt Putnam and Malcolm Everett Putnam. She was raised in Shelby and graduated from Shelby High School in 1931. Milla married Thomas Hunter Griffith of Davidson, North Carolina, December 21, 1940. During their time together they lived in Tarboro and Shelby, North Carolina; Little Rock, Arkansas; Cartersville, Georgia; Greenville, Mississippi, and Corpus Christi Texas before retiring to Lincolnton, North Carolina.



Milla was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lincolnton where she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Women of Church and was also a Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church.



In addition to raising three children, Milla worked in a number of secretarial positions throughout her life, retiring as a supervisor of the Claims Department for Sid Murray Insurance Agency of Corpus Christi, Texas.



Milla enjoyed her home and garden in Lincolnton. She was an avid reader and worked crossword puzzles "in ink". She especially enjoyed watching her hummingbirds and cardinals come to the kitchenwindow while she had her morning cup of coffee. She loved that first summer tomato and she made a killer pound cake. Most of all she loved to spend time with her family and friends, and her beloved "Abby Dog."



Milla was preceded in death by her husband Thomas H. Griffith, Sr. of Lincolnton, North Carolina, her eldest son, Thomas H. Griffith, Jr., of Kerrville, Texas, and five sisters and four brothers, all of Shelby, North Carolina.



Milla is survived by her daughter Milla Carol Griffith of Columbia, South Carolina, her son, John Stephen (Steve) Griffith and his wife, Carol L. Griffith of Olympia, Washington, daughter-in-law Sarah W. Griffith of Kerrville, Texas and her grandchildren, Jennifer E. Griffith of Seattle, Washington, and Stephen Lance Griffith and his wife Melanie and her great grandson, Hunter Lance Griffith, all of Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.