02/24/2022
Avanell Scott Griggs, 89, a long time Jasper, Mo., resident, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Oak Pointe of Carthage Senior Living Community. She was born on July 18, 1932 to Winifred and Esther Scott.
She was married to Loren Griggs on January 24, 1953, in the Jasper United Methodist Church, where she was an active member throughout her lifetime, participating in many church projects such as the chicken-noodle soup dinners, organizing fresh flowers for the sanctuary, and co-chairing family funeral meals for many years.
She graduated from Jasper High School and studied business at Joplin Business College. In her professional career, she worked at the Joplin Lead and Zinc Company, and also at the Jasper County Extension Office in Carthage. As a homemaker, she was known for her skills in gardening, sewing, and cooking and baking, as well as her love for birds and animals. She was an avid reader and because of her training, she was helpful in the complicated bookkeeping involved in a farm business. She was otherwise active in farm life, supporting Loren in his farming, seed business, soil conservation promotion, and various positions of community service.
Through the children’s activities in 4H, the family could always be counted on as enthusiastic participants in local, county and state fairs. Avanell loved horses from her youth, and the children followed her lead, becoming highly competitive in the American Quarter Horse Association. When farm work dominated Loren’s time, Avanell often served as the driver, logging an unbelievable amount of miles on the road to attend horse shows. Her son and daughters remember the countless hours she spent in the barn, setting a good example of caring for horses with thorough washing, cleaning, and grooming. She could get one ready to show with the best of them.
Survivors include two daughters, Allison Ham (Rick) of Neosho, Mo., and Amy Kahl (Ron), of Reeds, Mo; one son, Murray Griggs (Jill) of San Marcos, Ca; four grandchildren, Rustin Kahl (Karla), Braden Ham, Carson Griggs, and Connor Buck (Tyson); three great-grandchildren, Tanner Kahl, Lacey Allen, and Lane Allen; one sister, Lynne Stoddard of Panama City Beach, Fl.; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and many friends in the quarter horse world. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Loren, and her sister, Ruth Sneed of Carthage, Mo.
The family is appreciative of the loving care provided by the Jasper First Responders and the staffs at Visiting Angels and Oak Pointe of Carthage. Over the last three years, she had the very best kind and loving Caregivers. The family is also grateful to Alex and Crystal Luna for faithfully checking on Mom and taking care of everything.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Weng Funeral Chapel, Jasper, Mo.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Weng Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Paradise Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jasper United Methodist Church or the Jasper First Responders in care of the funeral home.
