Irene Griffith

88, born Myrtle Irene Stough and affectionately known as "Pat," passed away peacefully on October 31, 2012, in the presence of her family, at the Alive Hospice on Patterson Street in Nashville, Tennessee. Irene was the beloved wife of the late Alton Coke Griffith and mother of their daughter, Gwendolyn Griffith. Born on February 20, 1924, in Fayette County, Alabama, Irene was the daughter of Alva Leslie Stough, and his wife, Maggie Myrtle Manley Stough. Pat was one of eleven siblings, with five still surviving today. She graduated from Fayette High School and briefly attended nursing school before beginning a career with South Central Bell Telephone Company in Birmingham, AL. There she met her future husband, Alton, who she always said was the most handsome man she ever met. They lived in Tuscaloosa, AL while Alton attended the University of Alabama after completing his distinguished military service in the Army Air Corps during World War ll. Pat completed 30 years of service with the telephone company, rising from operator to a regional customer service supervisor when she retired in 1980. She was always proud of being a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Pat's life was most distinguished by what a loving, compassionate and playful person she was. Her large, close-knit family meant everything to her. She was a devoted wife for nearly 59 years and a loving and giving mother to her daughter, Gwen, who she never failed to support through college, graduate school, marriage, divorce, and many career moves. In their later years, Pat and Alton, combined households with Gwen, and Pat spent her final 10 years together with her daughter in Nashville, TN. Pat also loved animals, caring for many dogs and cats over the years. The beauty of nature also inspired her. She loved tending flowers in the garden. In her retirement she studied painting and became an accomplished artist, producing many lovely landscapes and floral paintings. Pat was cherished by all who knew her for her kind, sweet, giving and playful nature. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Services will be held Sunday, November 4, 2012, at Currie Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover, AL. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm Central and a graveside service at 2:00 pm Central, led by Pastor Lawton Higgs, of Oakmont United Methodist Church, where Pat was a lifelong member. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or to the Oakmont United Methodist Church of Birmingham, AL.