Lorraine Simmons Griffin

Lorraine Simmons Griffin, born October 2, 1955, in Albany, Georgia, passed away on July 29, 2019, in Millington, Tennessee. Her children surrounded her as she drifted peacefully onward.Lorraine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Kenny Griffin, who passed away on February 5, 2019. She is survived by her parents, Harry and Velta Simmons, and her children: Chris Barratt, his wife Jessica and their children Oliver and Elliot; Katie Pemberton, her husband Charles and their daughter Anna; and K.C. Griffin.Lorraine graduated from Millington Central High School and Memphis State University and later obtained her Master’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University.Lorraine made a damn fool of cancer for eight years, with the help of her brilliant oncologist, Dr. Kurt Tauer (or Dr. Amazing, as she called him) and his team. She was positive, resilient, and determined to live and stay with her family, and she fought for it every day.Lorraine was a teacher and a helper, and she valued kindness above all else. She officially taught in schools for 30 years, but in reality she never stopped learning or teaching. One of her greatest joys in life was hearing from and seeing her former students, and she didn’t stop supporting them just because they weren’t in her class anymore. Her work was recognized with many awards, including Teacher of the Year.Lorraine rarely met a person she didn’t want to help. She might start matchmaking for you within moments of meeting you if she didn’t see a ring. She might hire you for help she didn’t need if she knew you needed money. She couldn’t let your problem go unsolved—she was determined to try to fix it and she usually succeeded. Her generosity and her capacity for taking care of people she loved seemed to be infinite. She was a proud “military brat” who loved and supported our troops and veterans.Lorraine was very proud to have raised three independent, successful, and caring children, but her greatest pride and joy was being Gigi to her three grandchildren.Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, at Munford Funeral Home in Millington, Tennessee, with the service following at 5 p.m.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to The Jimmy V Foundation or the UT/West Institute for Cancer Research.Munford Funeral HomeMillington Chapel901.873.0123munfordfuneralhome.comRead Obituary