Elwanda Jean Smith Griffith

Elwanda Jean Smith Griffith, age 83 of Amarillo passed from this life on December 21, 2022 and joined her beloved son Christian Keith Griffith; her parents; and brother, Charles E. “Chuck” Smith in heaven.

Elwanda was born on September 3, 1939 in Lamesa, Texas to her parents Edward J. Smith and Verla Imogene Smith. She married the love of her life, Roger Keith Griffith on November 23, 1960 the couple were married for sixty-two years at the time of her death.

She attended St. Mary’s and Lee Bivins elementary schools, Austin Junior High and graduated from Amarillo High School in 1957.  Elwanda was a contestant in the 1958 Miss Amarillo Pageant. She went on to attend Amarillo College for two years.  She then began her career first with King, Sutton, Hamilton and McConnell attorneys, and then First National Bank of Amarillo. After the family moved to the Dallas area she worked for Texas Commerce Bank and the many combinations of banks that became J.P. Morgan/Chase.

While in Amarillo she served as the president of the P.T.A. at Bivins Elementary School and eagerly participated in the hobbies of her beloved husband.  She was a tremendous supporter of her son’s musical career as a world class musician, director of music and organist.  Elwanda was immensely grateful to have twenty years of time living in the Dallas area to be near her son.

She enjoyed exercise classes and participating in marathon walks to support various charities. She and Roger were members of First Presbyterian Church in Amarillo and Central Christian Church in Dallas.

Elwanda was the epitome of everything you could ever hope for in a mother and a spouse.  Her family considered her to be the best in the universe.  She loved her family beyond compare. She also happened to be the best cook in captivity.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the ladies at Kindred (Geniva) Hospice and Hidden Happiness Care Home for their outstanding service.

Elwanda is survived by her soulmate, her husband Roger K. Griffith; her nephew David C. Smith and his wife Beth and their daughter Emma Grace all of Amarillo; by her aunts, Betty Roberts Smith of Matador and Teddy Spraberry of Lubbock; and numerous cousins.

There will be no memorial service, a private inurnment at Memory Gardens Cemetery will be held at a later date.