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Born Jan. 10, 1919, in Montgomery County, daughter of the late John Sallee and Julie See Clare, she lived on farms in central Alabama and southeast Missouri. A 1936 graduate of Vanduser High School, she graduated in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau where she majored in physical education and home economics. She taught in Missouri public schools for four years.
After moving to St. Louis where she completed course studies at Barnes Hospital in physical therapy, she joined the staff of the Washington University School of Medicine in 1945 where she earned a masters degree in psychology in 1952, became a professor of neurology in 1975 and continued in that capacity until retiring in 1992.
Griffin also performed research work and studies on Parkinson's Disease. In 1955 she helped establish and direct the first clinical laboratory of electromyography (EMG) in Missouri for testing muscle and nerve disorders and was also in charge of training neurology residents in EMG techniques and interpretation.
A member of the Society for Neuroscience, Griffin was the recipient of a 1993 Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Merit Award which was presented to her by the College of Health and Human Services in honor of her distinguished career in neurology and neurophysiology. She was also a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sikeston.
On Nov. 9, 1991, in Vanduser, she married Norman Griffin who preceded her in death on Sept. 13, 1995.
Two brothers also preceded her in death.
Survivors include: one stepson, William D. Griffin of Vanduser; two stepdaughters, Yvonne Baitlon of Pueblo, Colo., and Linda Heller of Jefferson City; two sisters-in-law, Mary Frances Clare of Memphis, Texas, and Mary E. Clare of Kansas City, Kan.; and six grandchildren, three stepgreat-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston where services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The Rev. Rick Lasley, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, will officiate.
Burial will follow in the New Morley Cemetery at Morley.
Memorial contributions
may be sent to the
Epworth Children's Home
110 N. Elm St.
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Paid obituary