Verona Elise Griffith

October 15, 1925 - August 23, 2016

Verona Elise Griffith, affectionately known to most of us as “Auntie”, was born in Barbados on October 15, 1925. She was the youngest of five children, and her siblings: Rita, Urban, Oscar (and most recently) Gwendolyn preceded her in "Glory". Her parents David Cummins and Ketura Griffith have also gone ahead to welcome her into the Promised Land. She was educated in the Barbados Public School system - receiving the equivalent of an 8th grade education - which was not unusual at the time. Afterwards, she worked in the laundry on Country Road in Bridgetown, Barbados for several years before leaving her homeland for Brooklyn, NY in 1968. Auntie settled there, and was later joined by her sister Gwendolyn and her (then) teenaged son Dennis in 1978. Although Verona never bore children of her own, she delighted in sharing the childrearing duties of raising her beloved nephew. While in New York, Verona worked as a Home Healthcare Facilitator, and Gwendolyn followed in suit. Verona was a strong, independent, extremely organized, and able-bodied woman. Those characteristics boosted her ability to work in that industry for many years. Her passion for knowledge motivated her to continue her education, and drove her to obtain a GED - well into her adult years. By 2003, Auntie and Gwendolyn moved (just south of Charlotte) to The Dorchester - an Active Adult Community in Pineville, North Carolina. Auntie's spirit of independence kept her there - even after Gwen's sudden passing in 2012. She resided at The Dorchester until June, 2016 when she abruptly transferred into Carrington Place Rehabilitation Center in Matthews, NC after suffering a damaging fall. Dennis and his wife Vanessa had prepared for Auntie to live with them after the completion of rehab, but on August 23, 2016, she was called to move on to a residence nearer to our Lord and Savior. Throughout her life, Verona's straightforwardness and sharp wit kept many folks entertained. Out of pure affection, they all started to call her "Auntie" too (so much so) that they didn't realize until much later that her name was actually Verona! "Auntie" leaves the following to cherish her memory: her nephew Dennis and his wife Vanessa, their daughter Kristen, great-niece and nephew Imani and Jameir, and a host of nephews and nieces including: Cecil, Clive and Julie Griffith, Grantley and Heather Jackson, Beverly Hinds, Chelston and Yvonne Jackson, Brian and Mary Jackson, Richard and Jacqueline Jones, Chinara Griffith, and Iketchi Griffith. Also feeling the loss will be special friends who added smiles to Auntie's life, "Linzie" of the Dorchester, Germaine Ramsey, Lorna Blackwood, Michael Henderson, Jr. "MJ", and extended family Glen and Vernere Barnes, Etienne and Makaela Starling, Carol Phillips, and many others. Auntie will be sorely missed by her church family at St. Michael the Arch Angel Anglican Church, and her "adopted" church members at New Beginnings Community Church. During the last years and days of her life, these two churches showed Auntie the unconditional love of Jesus, and how He is FULLY active in the community; she was prepared for "home". God rest her soul... Prayerfully Submitted, The Family