Dorothy Hunter Griffin

Dorothy Hunter Griffin was born July 3, 1929 in Longview, Texas to Alvin and Ivernia Hunter. She grew up in Longview where she attended and graduated from high school. Dorothy attended Bishop College, an HBCU school. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education.

On November 22, 1962 Dorothy married Louis George Griffin, Jr. in a small ceremony.

Dorothy began her teaching career in 1952 and taught at the all Black schools in both Levelland, Texas as well as Lamesa, Texas. Once the schools were integrated she began teaching in the Levelland Independent School District. She taught in the district’s Migrant Program and ended her teaching career teaching 4th grade at West Elementary School. She retired from public school teaching in 1991.

Dorothy was an active leader in her local church. She began attending St. Luke UMC. On August 21, 1971, the charge conferences of Wesley and St. Luke's voted to disband and merge into a new congregation, Christ United Methodist Church. This was certainly the first racially integrated congregation in the Northwest Texas Conference and may well have been the first to evolve out of the 1968 action by the General Conference. She and Louis were both active leaders in the church. She was active in the United Methodist Church at both the district and conference level.

Dorothy was also active in various local organizations and projects. She taught Adult Education. worked with the Senior Citizens board, supported the Levelland Music Club, helped with the local food box and other city organizations.

In 2002, Dorothy moved to San Antonio, Texas to be near her daughter and son. She joined and attended Alamo Heights UMC and was fondly known as the “Hat Lady” because of the beautiful hats that she wore every Sunday.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sister Earlene, her sister Alva Smith, her brother Rev. Dr. Charles Hunter, her sister Dolores Sims, and her husband Louis Griffin. She is survived by a brother, Julian Hunter of Seattle, Washington, her children Jacqueline Freeman and Brian Griffin of San Antonio, TX, George Griffin III and his wife Maggie of Wilmington, NC., Chester and his wife Janis Griffin and Chris and his wife Jane Griffin all of Decatur, Georgia. She had four grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren as well a host of nieces and nephews and beloved family and friends.

There will be a viewing at Head & Duarte Funeral Home in Levelland, Texas on Monday, April 4th from 6:00-7:30 PM. Graveside services for Dorothy will be held at the City of Levelland Cemetery on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 3:00 PM. The graveside service will be officiated by Rev. Jackie Freeman, daughter of the deceased. A service of celebration will be held on Monday, April 11, 2022 at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas at 3:30 PM in the sanctuary. The Rev. Holly Gotelli will officiate.

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