Mrs. Betty Jane Harrington Griffin, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at age 89 on August 29, 2024 at her home in Buhl, Idaho. Born June 7,1935 in Houston, MS, Betty was the daughter of Daniel Levi Harrington (1904-1999) and Florence Ivy Smith Harrington (1903-1985).  Betty grew up in Houston surrounded by her large family, worked at Horn's Ten Cent store and the Houston State Bank as a teenager, graduating from Houston High School in 1953.  She was introduced to Billy Joe Griffin from Bruce, MS seven months later and they married on July 17,1954.

The young couple had their first daughter, Patreece, in 1955 and then moved to Starkville while Joe completed his engineering degree at MS State.  Betty worked as assistant and stenographer for the Dean of the engineering school to help pay the bills.  Joe's first job with MacDonald Douglass Aircraft took them to St. Louis, their second daughter, Terri, was born in 1958, and then they moved to San Diego where Joe began working for General Dynamics.  In 1960 the company sent Joe to Cape Canaveral, FL where he spent ten years helping develop the space program.  Shortly after arriving in Florida they experienced Hurricane Donna and Betty instantly decided she did not like Florida at all, and she really wanted to go back to Houston.  However, she grew to love Florida and especially enjoyed treating her mother, Florence, to many relaxing afternoons at the beach.  The family moved back to San Diego in 1969, moving eventually to Los Angeles near for many years and finally Betty and Joe spent the last years of their lives in Buhl, Idaho living near Terri and her family.

While living in San Diego and Los Angeles, Betty began a career in hotel management which she thoroughly enjoyed, and during those years she met many celebrities which was quite exciting for a southern girl from a small MS town.  She has entertained us for years with her many colorful stories about the "famous" people she's met!  Living in CA brought many travel opportunities her way. She really enjoyed Europe, even getting to see two of the small towns in England where our Stovall and Dendy ancestors came from, and she was in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell.

Betty led a very interesting life, but she was always anchored by her close-knit family from Houston.  She was beautiful inside and out and so kind to everyone. We will all miss her vivacious spirit, keen intelligence, sharp wit, generous and loving heart and her beautiful pale green eyes!

Betty is survived by her brother, Daniel Levi (Deedy) Harrington of Aberdeen, MS, daughters Patreece Jamgochian of Nashville, TN and Terri Fairchild of Buhl, ID and nine grandchildren.

Funeral services for Betty will be held Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church in Houston, MS.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 and a short graveside service will follow at Prospect Cemetery where she will be laid to rest.