Carolyn Griggs, age 83, died peacefully after a long illness on December 16, 2025. Carolyn was born on March 15, 1942 in Calvert City, Kentucky and lived much of her life in Western Kentucky. She also lived many years in the Chicago area and has lived in Strongsville, OH for the last 8 years.
She was the beloved wife of Ronald (Buddy) for 67 years; loving mother of Doug Griggs (Tracy), Keith Griggs (Cindy), and Melissa Griggs Milatz (Lewis); dear grandmother of Lindsay Griggs, Alex Jenkins (Jeremy), Amy Bracken (Nick), Reuben Griggs, Autumn Bond (Randall), Emily Reyes (Antonio), and Ronnie Diehl; great-grandmother to ten; loving sister to Charlottia Wilson and Helen Tiller. She was preceded in death by her father Clint Burkeen, mother Dorothy Burkeen (nee Donohoo), brother Charles Burkeen, and sisters Frances Butler and Sylvia Newcom.
Carolyn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family and others deeply, often showing it by the way she served them and by her constant presence in their lives. She especially had a close relationship with her grandchildren which was strong up to her last days. After retiring and moving back to Kentucky in 1991, Carolyn pursued a “second” career as a cosmetologist. She made many good friends at Great Clips and had a group of regular customers that always asked for her because of her skill and friendly demeanor. She was a member of many churches, most notably the First Baptist Church in Paducah, KY for over 25 years and recently as a member of Pleasant Valley Church in Parma, OH. Most importantly, her faith in God was strong.
Even though we miss her, we know she is in the presence of her Savior, no longer suffering from the hardships of the last few years.
Funeral services will be at 11:00am on December 20 at Collier Funeral Home, 211 W. 5th Street, Benton, Kentucky, with Pastor Jim Ewing presiding. Visitation will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on December 19 and Saturday for 10:00am to 11:00am at Collier Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Marshall County Caring Needline or the Cleveland Food Bank.
