Celebrating The Life of BeEtta C. Griffin

January 26, 1944 – June 20, 2025 Services Friday, June 27, 2025, 2:00 p.m. Earl M. Temple Memorial Chapel Temple & Sons Funeral Directors, Inc. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Internment: Riverside Gardens Cemetery Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

It is with deep love and heartfelt remembrance that we celebrate the life of BeEtta Griffin, a caring wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother, cherished sister, loyal friend, and dedicated educator, who passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, at the age of 81.

BeEtta was born on January 26, 1944, in Clearview, Oklahoma, to Otis (Sandy) Combs and Idessa Hicks Combs. She was the fifth of thirteen children in a close-knit family where faith, hard work, and love were daily essentials. These values shaped a life marked by grace, purpose, and enduring strength.

BeEtta attended Langston University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, beginning a lifelong commitment to service and sisterhood. It was also at Langston where she met her beloved husband, Dewey Griffin. The two were married and shared a partnership rooted in love, faith, and family for decades.

After graduation, BeEtta and Dewey moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she began her distinguished career as a high school mathematics teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. She taught for over 30 years, inspiring generation of students and eventually serving as Department Cahir of Mathematics. She also earned master’s degrees from Purdue University and Chicago State University, a reflection of her deep dedication to learning and excellence in education.

Beyond the classroom, BeEtta remained an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, contributing to the sorority’s graduate chapter while I Chicago through community service, mentoring, and leadership. Following retirement, BeEtta and Dewey returned home to Oklahoma to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Their later years were filled with love, purpose, and active involvement in the lives of their family. Together, they played a central role in raising their twin grandson, Dean and Dillon, and supporting their granddaughter, Aleyah, with presence, guidance, and deep affection.

BeEtta was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dewey Griffin (2019); her parents, Otis (Sandy) Combs and Idessa Hicks Combs; and her siblings: Victor Combs, Pauricta Kale Anderson, Harold Combs, and Otis (Jack) Combs Jr.

She is survived by her children: Latonya and Derron, daughter-in-law Marilyn, grandsons Dean, Dillon, step granddaughters Aleyah Luper and LaShay Rhodes; and her loving siblings: Chenita C. Lewis, Alfreda C. Dugger, Sandy Combs, Brenda C. Platter, Maureen C. Reagor, Dimple C. Thompson, Jeanetta C. Shipp, and Opa C. Patton. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family, sorority sisters, former students, and dear friends.