Obituary
Ms. Earlene Agnes Griggs passed away from the earth on December 6, 2023. Earlene was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. She was baptized in her family’s church, “Greater Union Baptist” in Tulsa, OK. For several years, she was an active member of “Lift Him Up Family Center” located in Kansas City, MO. Because of health reasons, she resigned from there to find a place to worship closer to her home. In 2012, she became an active member of Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit, MO until Covid. Due to lung disease, increasing oxygen needs and other illnesses she became mainly home bound.
Earlene was born in OK to the parents of William Earl and Lula Mae Griggs. Unfortunately, at the age 1 ½, her mother became ill and passed. Later, her father married Blanche Williams. Earlene received her K through 12th grade education in the Tulsa public schools. Several years afterwards, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Human Resources from Park College (Park University).
In 1960, Earlene and Homer Edwards were united in marriage. They were the parents of two children, Darrell and Lisa.
Earlene retired from the Jackson County Courthouse as a Director of the Records department after 25 years. During her time of employment, she held different positions at all 3 courthouses. While working for Jackson County, she met and married Alvin Jernigan. The marriage ended in divorce and Earlene went back to her maiden name. After her retirement from Jackson County, she went to work for Pfizer Manufacturing where she met multiple friends and remained friends until her passing.
Grandmother, Alma Agnes Tucker taught Earlene how to bake at an early age. Baking became a passion. Earlene felt it was a gift from God. She baked cakes, pies, cookies, dinner rolls, and bread for her children and grandchildren, gave baked goods as gifts, and held bake sales to raise money for people in need. While working at the courthouse, she baked cookies and small cakes for a group of homeless people who congregated nearby.
During her career, Earlene held memberships with several organizations. In 1996, she became a member of the Saturday Night Sixteen Club, serving as President for several years. She was a volunteer for Big Brother/Big Sisters, K. C. Probation & Parole Board and most recently, Missys’ Boutique at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Survivors include, daughter, Lisa Bryson (Sean), grandchildren Darrell Shannon, Amber, Aaron and Chase. Sister, Ruth Higgins, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Son, Darrell, parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, brothers, William Earl, Jr. Nathaniel, Jimmy, Joseph, Curtis, and William Edwin preceded her in death.
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Earlene, was such a happy, joyful, person to be around. I played Bunco with her and other Pfizer friends, where her smile and fun loving personality were always appreciated. Heaven has gained a beautiful spirit.
My condolences to Lisa & the family. Earlene was my very sweet sister-in-love for 7 years. So glad she is now resting until the Day of our Lord the Redeeming Savior comes for us all.
Sandra Price Davis
So sorry to hear of her death. Lovely lady from my church, Abundant Life. Always had a smile and sweet. Blessing to her family at this time.
June Jacobs
I treated Earlene for home health, and she was such a sweet lady! Condolences to the whole family ❤️
We never had the opportunity to meet our cousin in person. We all talked regularly over the phone and found out so much about each other. Our plan was to meet up in Dallas one day. God knew your pain and took you home. Bless the family and thank you so Much Ms. Jean for contacting us her in Waco, Texas. We love you cousin Earlene!!!
Helen and Wanda
Our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. She and my Dad were cut ups. She is one of the sweetest people I had ever had the pleasure of speaking with. May the Lord be with all of you.
On behalf of the D. C. Cooksey, Sr. family who are Cousins to Earlene and the Griggs family we express our love to the rest of her family and her special Friend Gwen Pearce during this time of your grief and ours. We are sad to hear of her home-going yet happy to know that she is reunited in Heaven with the rest of our family members. Although she is gone from our presence she is still alive in the presence of our Heavenly Father experiencing Eternal Life.
Revelation 21:4
My sincere condolences to my family.Earlene was a loving and supportive cousin when I was growing up.My condolences to the family and Ruth I am praying for you.
Earlene was such a sweet lady. She always was very gracious and kind. She was a terrific baker too. Making lovely deserts cakes cookies etc. For our Sunday school class. Earlene attended Abundant life church. She was a joy to know. And will be missed. What a sweet Christian lady who shared the love of Jesus. Blessings to her family and Gods peace to all.
Our condolences to the family and friends. Earlene was our cousin, she was very mild, and soft spoken, but was a “True Lady”. She moved to Kansas City upon the request of our mother, her first cousin Ruby Mae Arnold, who preceded her in death. Earlene ‘s children and Ruby’s children all grew up together. Rest well cousin, and may the Lord be with all of you.
Michael, Debra, Joan, Pam
I am glad that I got to meet Earlene and be in church class with her. She was a beautiful lady from the inside out. She was an expression of joy. She had a real servant heart and a lot of talent. I loved her smile. I’m glad she knew her savior and is with Him now and her body is healed.
Earlene and were friends since we were seven years old. We went to Ralph J. Bunche elementary School in Tulsa Oklahoma. I will surely miss her. My condolences to her family 🙏🙏🙏🙏. And to Gwen, who was an awesome friend to her. She is with the Angels now.
My heartfelt condolences to our entire family. Earline was a genuine sweetheart, she was kind, considerate and very respectful to all she came in contact with. She was beautiful inside & out. You will be missed cousin and I’m praying for you Lisa and the rest of the family🙏🏾
Earlene was a treasured member of our Saturday Night Sixteen Club. We loved her gracious personality. She will truly be missed missed.
Earlene was a dear sweet friend who was an inspiration to me. I will miss her very much but plan on seeing her in Heaven. Such a wonderful lady. 🙏🤗❤️✝️
It was such a joy to have known Earlene. We met at a church picnic, and that was a blessing. Heaven is surely celebrating her arrival! Many hugs to each of you who knew and loved Earlene. We pray for God to bring comfort to Earlene’s friends and family.
Earlene was a wonderful woman of God. Even though she is gone, she will never be forgotten. She had such a giving heart. Through the years of her illness, she never once complained.
A huge Thank You to all the physicians and nurses at the University of Kansas Health System that gave her 150% of necessary care when needed.
Another huge Thank you to the staff with KC Hospice team. You’re the best.
Please rest Earlene. Until we see each other again!
I’m going to miss Earlene very much. She was my beautiful friend. There are no words to say what a loss this is for me. To Earlene’s family you have my deepest sympathy. Thank you for sharing her with all of us that had the pleasure of knowing her.
Earlene was an amazing Aunt to my brothers and I, she never failed to make us feel loved and cared for. I got a call and a letter every birthday and Christmas my whole life and she always went out of her way to stay connected. We really bonded over our love for baking and when my little brothers baseball team came to KC for a game she surprised the team with a bunch of baked goods.
My dad was a grumpy man who didn’t like to talk to many people but he always had time for his big sister and I cherish the stories he used to tell us about growing up with her.
I’ve known Earlene for a very long time. She was very special to me. We worked together for a number of years, lost touch got back in touch and we both were so very happy about that. She was a great inspiration to me in many different ways for many different things. We had some great conversations in the last year and I always appreciated her words of wisdom. I will miss her and may she rest in peace. My condolences to those who were very close to her and her family.