Frances Elizabeth Baird Griffin, 91, of Somerville, was born to Glen Edwin and Hazel Edith Baird on January 5, 1935, at their home near Rogers.
She died on July 20, 2026, in CHI St. Joseph Regional Hospital Bryan after a brief illness.
Frances was the second of five children.
During her early years, Frances’ father was employed with the Santa Fe Railway as a pumper, so the family moved several times as he bid on better-paying jobs, including stops in Buffalo Gap, Clifton, Somerville during Frances’ junior year of high school, and ultimately to Temple.
It was in Somerville that Frances met Edwin Griffin and they married on July 31, 1953, in the old First Baptist Church and officiated by Rev. C. A. Ray.
From this union would come two sons, Dennis in 1958 and David in 1961.
Frances worked in the local drug store and for many years at Priesmeyer’s Department Store alongside many remarkable ladies.
She was later employed by Texas A&M University, retiring from the Texas Real Estate Research Center.
At the time of her death, Frances was proudly the oldest member of First Baptist Church, having served as a Sunday school teacher, a Vacation Bible School teacher and on the Personnel and Nominating committees. For a number of years, she served as the Church Hostess, having learned etiquette as a member of the Future Homemakers of America during high school.
In 2021, she would be inducted into the Yegua Hall of Fame.
In her free time, Frances enjoyed tending to her home and lawn herself, attending estate sales and playing most domino games.
Her favorite pastime was, of course, being Granny and Great-Granny. She loved and spoiled her grandchildren, led them into a little mischief and taught them in order to win playing board games with her they must truly beat her.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and motherin- law, Barney and Vivian Welch Griffin; her husband, Edwin; and her son, David. Also preceding her in death are sisters, Virginia Calvery and Anna Belle Row; and her brother- in-law, Kevin Harmon.
November 1983 to July 1984 was especially difficult for Frances because she lost a son to a drunk driver, her father to illness and her husband to a heart attack in that short period of time.
Surviving Frances is her son, Dennis and his wife, Elizabeth, who were a source of never-ending strength. Survivors also include her brother, Glen Milton Baird and his wife, Gloria, of San Angelo; her brother-in-law, Joe Row and his wife, Jo, of Springtown; and her sister, Betty Jean Harmon of Cameron. Finally, Frances is survived by her grandchildren and their families: Adam and Christine Griffin and their daughters, Hazel, Campbell, and Amory; Jessica and Jesse House and their sons, Austin and Tyson; Sean Griffin and Keri Vincik and their daughter, Evelyn; and Stuart and Rebecca Griffin.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, with the family receiving visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home, 545 8th Street, Somerville.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church, 255 9th Street, Somerville, with Corby Brizendine officiating.
Burial will follow the funeral service at Oaklawn Cemetery, 15984 Hwy. 36, Somerville, near the original main entrance.
Memorials to honor Frances Griffin are welcome at First Baptist Church in Somerville.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. They invite you to visit their website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.