Obituary: Joan Howard Teal Griffin

Born in Barnesville, Georgia, on Aug. 2, 1928, Joan passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Winter Garden, Florida. She moved to Winter Garden in 1933 with her parents, Morgan and Veva Howard, where her grandfather Troy Mink had established a citrus grove and dairy.

She graduated from Lakeview High School in 1946 and in 1947 married Paul Hilton Teal, who preceded her in death in 1985. She worked as bookkeeper at Lakeview and West Orange high schools and the City of Winter Garden.

In 1995, she married Johnie Lee Griffin and spent happy years with him until his death in 2000.

Music was a very important part of her life. She was an accomplished pianist and organist. In high school, she was the accompanist for the glee club and as an adult served as organist for Oakland Presbyterian Church for many years. She also taught piano lessons to many local residents.

She is survived by her children, Julia Kathleen Teal, Janet Margaret Teal, William Howard Teal (Barbara), Paul Hilton Teal Jr. (Laura); grandchildren, Jackson, Hunter, Robbye and Hilton Teal; sister, June Howard Mizell; and brother, Morgan Goodrum “Sonny” Howard.

She was a wonderful mother, sister, friend and, most of all, a child of God.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden.  baldwinfairchild.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden in memory of Mrs. Griffin.