This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Griggs, Morgan, Brown, Crenshaw, Holloway, Wiley, Powell, Hudson, Herron, Allen, Parker, Randle Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/plB.2ACI/3536 Message Board Post: Kenneth James Griggs July 29, 1947 - Nov. 25, 2005 Funeral services for the Rev. Kenneth James Griggs, 58, of Bay City, and pastor of Mother Zion Baptist Church prior to death, will be held at noon Saturday, December 3, 2005, at Mother Baptist Zion Church, Bay City, with Moderator F.N. Williams, eulogist. Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Mother Zion Baptist Church from 6 until 9 p.m. on Friday, with a memorial service at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Alfred Jones presiding. Griggs was born in Bay City, Texas, July 29, 1947, to Melvin Griggs and Doris Morgan Griggs, and passed away November 25, 2005, in Bay City, Texas. He was a 1965 graduate of A.G. Hilliard High School. Afterwards, he studied many disciplines, including masonry, welding and broadcasting, to name a few. In June 1982, he answered the call to his life's work to preach the gospel, and assumed the honorable role as “Rev. Griggs.” His pastoral career span almost 20 years, after being elected on December 11, 1985, to become the shepherd of the Mother Zion Baptist Church Family. In May 1990, Pastor Griggs received his Bachelor of Theology degree, made possible by the Mother Zion Church Family. After devoted study in the field of theology, he received his Doctorate of Divinity degree. Pastor Griggs labored and served the Mother Zion Baptist Church faithfully for two decades. Under his leadership, several technological and structural advances were made to the church. He was a revered pastor, preacher, teacher, mentor, counselor and friend. He was an active member of the National Baptist Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress, and served as chairman of the Foreign Mission Board of the Independent Missionary Baptist General Association of Texas. Pastor Griggs preached his last sermon Sunday, November 20, 2005, from Psalm 103: 1, 2, with the sermon titled, “Benefits.” His favorite Bible verse was from Psalm 121:1,2 saying, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.” Survivors include: his wife, Seretha Brown Griggs of Bay City; three daughters, Doris Crenshaw, Kara Holloway and Seretha Jane Griggs, all of Bay City; and two sons, Randolph Brown of Bay City, and Lorinzo Brown (and Onjaleke) of Dallas. Also: his mother, Doris Wiley of Bay City; three aunts, Carrie Powell, Jewel Hudson and Opal Herron; and one uncle, Leon Allen. Also: nine grandchildren; three god-daughters; two sisters-in-law, Inez Parker and Ladonia Randle; and one brother-in-law, the Rev. Herman Brown (and Donnie). Also: a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and the beautiful family members of the Mother Zion Baptist Church. Active pallbearers will be the Rev. Michael Riddick, the Rev. Murray Martin, the Rev. Cedrick Howard, Dea. Ronald Scott, Dea. Jerry Manning, Brian Scott, Benjamin Scott, III, Charleston Williams, Lorinza Brown, Jr., and Randolph Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be the Rev. Herman Brown, Leon Allen, Benjamin Scott, Jr., the Rev. Louis Pointer, Jr., Herman Waddy, Jr., Reuben Desmuke, the officers and members of Mother Zion Baptist Church, pastors and ministers of Matagorda County, and the Independent Missionary Baptist General Association of Texas. Arrangements are with Duncan-Roberts Funeral Home, Bay City, Texas. Bay City Tribune November 30, 2005 Matagorda County, Texas