Jacqueline Lee Griffiths

Jacqueline Lee Griffiths, age 85, was born March 14, 1937, to Harry Herbert and Elsie Virginia (Albach) Wagoner, in Des Moines, Iowa. She died on February 26, 2023, at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Jackie, as she was known, lived with her family in Des Moines until age 7, when they moved to Illinois. They later returned to Des Moines where she completed her formal education, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1955. As a young adult, she worked for Look Magazine and Younkers in Des Moines. On August 11, 1956, she married William John Griffiths in Des Moines. Jackie and Bill made their home in Des Moines and were blessed with four children, William, Jr., Allen, Kathleen, and Kenneth Michael. They moved to Gillman City, Missouri in 1965, but returned to Iowa in 1967, settling in Weldon. Here they were blessed with two more children, John and Diana.

During their marriage, Bill taught Jackie to be a musician. She played bass, piano, and sang with him in family bands. Jackie worked at O’Bryan Brothers in Leon for 30 years. After retiring as floor supervisor and after the death of Bill in 2005, she took care of people in their homes for seven years. She also played in other bands in her free time, until three years ago. She enjoyed playing golf, was a member of the Leon Country Club, and liked raising flowers. She was a member of Babes of the Board and fulfilled many duties for the organization. She was an active member of the Weldon Christian Church and enjoyed leading her church family in the hymns.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Bill; brother, Bert “Buster” Wagoner; infant great granddaughter, Emma Grace Ruth; and two step grandchildren, Morgan,  Steven. Survivors include her six children, Bill Griffiths, Jr. of Weldon, Iowa, Allen Griffiths of Houston, Texas, Kathy Decker (Darin) of Leon, Iowa, Mike Griffiths (Stacey) of Aurora, Missouri, John Griffiths (Brandy) of Weldon, and Diana Brown (Troy) of Promise City, Iowa; grandchildren, Mason Bryan, Scott Ruth (Amy), Jerry Ruth (Angie), Adam Ruth, Lilly Clark, Jasmine Griffiths, Rebecca Griffiths, David Cummings (Victoria), Kim Taylor (Jason), Dakota Brady, Micheala Brady, Alex Brady (Morgan), Dustin Lovett, Dakota Lovett (Hallie), Riley Brown (Cade), Reese Brown, and Destiny Brown; 18 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Weldon Christian Church in Weldon, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, with Todd Carroll and Jim Lane officiating. A private burial will be in the Green Bay Cemetery in Clarke County, Iowa, at a later date. Visitation is at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa on Sunday, March 5, 2-4 p.m.