Helen Griffin

Helen Elizabeth Hendley Griffin passed away peacefully on September 15, 2023 surrounded by her family’s love. Helen was born on March 14, 1922 in Spartanburg, South Carolina to the late Gladys Wham Hendley and Alvis Eugene Hendley. She graduated from Central High School in Charlotte and Queens College where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and selected for Who’s Who. Following WWII, she received her Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC, she met the love of her life and future husband, George A. Griffin. George and Helen created a wonderful life together in Concord!

Helen was an astute accountant, becoming the first female auditor hired by the State of North Carolina Auditors’ Office. She kept books for many businesses including Robinson’s Women’s Specialty Shop, of which her mother-in-law was part owner, and Griffin Architecture. Helen began keeping books for her husband at his architecture firm in 1955 and continued, as the firm was passed down to their son, until this past summer. This was a position she held for almost 70 years! In addition, after her mother-in-law passed away in the 80s, Helen was at the helm of Robinson’s until the age of 76.

Helen was an active member of Central United Methodist Church where she held numerous offices and filled countless volunteer hours over the course of her adult life. She was a sustaining member of the Concord Junior Charity League, volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary.

She lived an engaged, vibrant life all of her 101 years including a recent family trip to Blowing Rock at the end of August. Up through August, she was living life to the fullest by participating in weekly chair yoga, tai chi, playing Royalty with friends, enjoying Happy Hour on her daughter Fran’s and son-in-law Tim’s front porch and playing monthly bridge with her club.

Through unwavering faith in a loving God, she chose to live with a joyful and loving heart. Without judgment, she shared unconditional love with her family, friends, and everyone blessed to know her.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, George Albert Griffin on October 23, 2005, to whom she was married for 57 years. She was also preceded by her three brothers and one sister.

She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Sandling (Joe) of Raleigh, Frances Foley (Tim) of Concord, son Kenneth Allen Griffin (Leslie) of Concord; grandchildren Jennifer Foley Sbarra (Luke) of Charlotte, Heather Foley Queler (Adam) of Gastonia, George Timothy Griffin of Concord, Molly Murphy of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Sara Murphy Doyle (Ian) of Concord; great-grandchildren Jonathan and Matthew Queler, Emilia and Henry Sbarra, Felix Doyle; her dear friend Nancy Griffin; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Helen’s family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Joe Simpson, Dr. Marc Ward, the compassionate nurses of Atrium Cabarrus and the exemplary nurses & staff at the Tucker Hospice House for their care.

A funeral service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Central United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in Central’s Langford Parlor following the service. A private family graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery will precede the service.

The service will be livestreamed at the the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@CentralUMCConcord

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Central United Methodist Church at 30 Union St. North in Concord, NC 28025; Wings to Soar Camp at Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081; or a charity of one’s choice.