Venus Koger Griffin

VENUS KOGER GRIFFIN, 93 LAKELAND " Venus Koger Griffin, 93, of Lakeland, FL, passed away on February 9, 2015 at Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland due to natural causes. She was born in the community of Parmleysville, Kentucky on June 29, 1921 to George and Florence (Gregory) Koger. After graduating high school and in her early 20""s, she moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where she attended business college. During that time she met her future husband, Thomas Vern Griffin and they married on December 21, 1946. They moved to Wauchula, Florida in 1950 and opened their first restaurant and in 1955 moved to Avon Park and opened Griffin""s Restaurant. She always enjoyed working with people and solving problems. In her later years, she worked for Rheinauer""s and cherished the employees and customers who meant so much to her while working in the store. But most important to her was being a wife and mother. She was always so giving of her time and love and will be missed tremendously. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Vern Griffin; granddaughter Lynn Marie Griffin, sister Lilly Mitchell and brother Herbert Koger. She is survived by her son Gary (Libby) Griffin of Havana, FL; daughter, Melinda Berry of Lakeland. Grandchildren include Laura (Kevin) Fisher, Kellie (Matt) Greenhow of Lakeland, Melissa (Bill) Strauss, Theresa (Jesse) Holmes of Tallahassee and Thomas (Kelley) Griffin of Havana, FL, including 7 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was a member of Scott Lake Baptist Church. Graveside services will be held at 2:30pm, February 12, 2015 at Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, FL with family receiving friends on Thursday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801. Service: 02/12/2015 Oak Hill Burial Park 4620 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland, FL 33812 Heath Funeral Chapel Visitation: 02/12/2015 Heath Funeral Chapel