Marilyn June Griffin passed away June 23, 2026, at the Living Center in Marshall, MO, three days after her 85th birthday. Marilyn was born to Maize Watts Davis and Kermit Davis on June 20, 1941, at her family’s home in Bosworth, MO. She grew up in Bosworth where she graduated high school before moving to Kansas City to work at a bank. She soon after met the love of her life, Dwight Eugene Griffin, at the Dairy Maid in Carrollton, MO. Dwight and Marilyn married on March 18, 1961, at the Bosworth Christian Church. Marilyn spent the remainder of her life in Carrollton, MO with Dwight on the Griffin Family Farm. They were happily married for 63 years until Dwight passed away on May 4th, 2024.
Marilyn was a former member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and worked a variety of part-time jobs over the years when her children were older, including Spotlight Video and PS Originals. Her primary role, however was that of wife, mom, grandma and homemaker. She ran the household and worked behind the scenes at Griffin Family Farms, as managing Dwight was often a full-time job. She was a loving caregiver for her mother-in-law, Mary Lou Griffin, and her faith, strength, and love were the glue of the family. She was steadfast in her faith and a loyal member of the Disciples of Christ Christian Church, where she served in a variety of different roles over the years. Marilyn loved cooking, and her delicious cooking made for years of wonderful memories involving family time and dinners at grandma’s house. She was selfless to the end, always worrying most about her family and serving God, even when her own health was declining. Despite hardships over the years and the loss of Dwight, she remained strong in her faith and, towards the end, even in memory care, could still lead the most beautiful prayers.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Kermit and Maize Davis, in-laws Gayle and Mary Lou Griffin, sisters Margaret Potter (Bill), Donna Wheeler (Jack), and brother Kermit Davis.
She is survived by her 3 children daughter and son-in-law Michelle Lynn Porter and husband George of Marshall, MO, son and daughter-in-law, loyal caregivers, Bradley Gayel and Julie Griffin of Carrollton, MO, daughter and son-in-law, Susanne Nicole (Griffin) and Chad Leighty of Gilbert, AZ. Grandchildren Megan Elizabeth Fergason (Cody) of Clifton Hill, MO, Jared Alan Porter (Brittanee) of Bend, Oregon, Adam Dwight Griffin of Carrollton, MO, Collin Gayel Porter (Christina) of Marshall, MO and Eva Kate and Maxwell Parker Leighty of Gilbert, AZ. Great-grandchildren Griffin Nathanial Fergason, Graham Joseph Fergason, Gabrielle June Fergason, Noah Bradley Griffin, Brooks Thomas Porter, Zoee Grace Porter, and Vivian Gayel Porter. She is also survived by her sister Marlene Bennet (Randy Mills) of Bosworth, MO, brother-in-law Duane and Sandy Griffin (Carrollton, MO), sister-in-law Karen and John Bittiker (Concordia, MO), and sister-in-law Cheryl Rau (New York and Florida), sister-in-law Mary Davis (Kermit) and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Marilyn’s faith, strength, love, and home cooked meals will continue to be passed down for the future generations to come, as Dwight, her children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the center of her world and she will no doubt be looking down on all of us from above.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at The First Christian Church, 205 N. Folger, Carrollton, Missouri 64633. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 AM and graveside services will be held immediately following the funeral at Carroll Memory Gardens in Carrollton.
Memorial Contributions are asked to Carroll Memory Gardens or to ‘Family Choice’
Arrangements entrusted to Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Carrollton, www.hiddenvalleyfunerals.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
