Melverta Theresa Griffin

Melverta Theresa Robinson was born on Mother’s Day, May 13, 1928 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to Annie Bell Walker and Lloyd “Doc” Ingram. She was adopted by Miller Robinson as an infant. She attended St. Francis, an all-Black mission school, and converted to the Catholic faith. Her mother later had two sons, Herbert and Lineal Bunch, and she was a second mother to her younger brothers during their early years. Both her brothers and all parents preceded her in death. Melverta was her mother’s caregiver until Annie Bell’s passing.

Melverta, her mother, brothers and step-father left Mississippi and lived in Ohio before

eventually settling in Detroit. There, at the age of 18, Melverta met and married Henry Griffin,

Sr., who preceded her death in 1996. To this union, five children were born: Henry Edward

(Shirley), Rita (Walter), Dwight (Helen), Tedarro (Delpha) and Yolanda (Morris).

Melverta was a hard worker; from picking cotton to support her family as a child in the South, toworking at the National Laundry. In the 1960’s, she began working for the Detroit Board of

Education in Food Service. She retired after her 70th birthday in 1998. She was often stopped

by former students when they recognized her. The teachers and other staff spoke highly of her

loving nature and fabulous cooking. Young women could count on her to take them under her

wing and offer life advice and a helping hand as she recalled the struggles of being a young

mother. She was an advocate of education, encouraging all her children to pursue and value

higher education.

Having known need, Melverta was a very giving person. One of her favorite gospel songs was

“If I Can Help Somebody”. Melverta often fed others and offered counsel. When there were

grieving families on Lawrence Street, she along with her friend and neighbor, Oris, prepared and delivered dinner.Melverta was famous for her cooking and baking, particularly her cinnamon and yeast rolls, sweet potato pies, shrimp fried rice and fruit cakes. She contributed to both Visitation and St. Gregory the Great Parish festivals, fundraisers and coffee hours and never turned down a request to prepare food when asked. She was a parishioner of the Catholic Church of St.Moses the Black. Melverta was a charter member of the Knights of St. Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court # 196 of Visitation Parish. She later was invited to join the Ladies of Grace Meritorious Division. She remained active in both auxiliaries while her health allowed. In 1999, she was awarded the National Honor of Merit at the KPC National convention in New Orleans.

As a youth, Melverta was a talented basketball player. She remained active by jumping rope

and doing yoga well into her late 70’s. After retirement, she began practicing Tai Chi and joined a senior hula dance group. Her proudest performance was the hula dancing of the “Lord’s Prayer”. She spent many days at St. Patrick’s Senior Center taking computer classes and in fellowship until driving became difficult. Melverta drove until she was 86! She also was a member of Councilman Cockrel Corps where she handed out Thanksgiving and Christmas

baskets and was awarded for her many years of service as a senior community liaison. Melverta was a dedicated supporter of St. Jude Hospital.