Carrie Rose Griffith Memorial Service

Carrie Rose Griffith Memorial Service

June 4th, 2026

Teachers play an important part in the human experience. All people in one way or another for better or worse, are affected by the teachers in their lives. Some of these mentors are parents. Some are in our school systems. Some are brothers and sisters. Some are classmates. Some are found in the church. Some are those encountered at the office. Some are lecturers or professors. They impact our lives from the cradle to the grave.

Carrie was a teacher…

As a teacher whose desire was to serve others, she educated children in the classroom. She assisted all students and especially those who had difficulty accessing their education until 2017.

Outside the classroom and courtroom, she utilized casual conversation and teachable moments to serve.

She taught the value of hard work, compassion, and enjoying the various moments and occasions of life with others…being a teacher we like to listen to.

There is one teacher that we do not like to listen to. This teacher raises our awareness about one of life’s most important mysteries and realities. The Teacher’s calling card is marked death. It is said that a mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. The death of a loved one becomes a teachable moment. Let’s listen while God’s Word speaks to us about death:  “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Heb. 9:27)

I. REALITY

First, we are reminded of the reality of death. Our text speaks briefly but clearly. Everyone is going to die. More than one person is dying every second—4,000 an hour, 96,000 a day, more than 35 million a year.

Some people refuse to think about death. Some are nonchalant about it. Others live in fear of it. And some deal with it through the eyes of Christian faith. It comes down every highway, across every sky. Saint and sinner, rich and poor experience it. It is no respecter of persons.

II. REASON

When considering death, the logical question is, Why does death exist? What is the reason for death?

The Scriptures tell us that death entered the planet of earth when the first man and woman rebelled in disobedience to God’s clear command. He had instructed Adam and Eve, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Gen 2:17).

Man did what God forbade. Death—an intruder, an alien to God’s desire for mankind’s good—came. Since Adam represented the human race, all humanity inherites his tragic death gene. It may not seem fair, but it’s like a football team being penalized for the error of one player. One man costs the whole team. God must keep his Word.

III. REALM

When you consider death, you must look at the realm of death. The separation of the soul from the body is far more than physical. It is also spiritual—the alienation of the spirit from God—and it is eternal. Physical death awaits every human. Spiritual and eternal death are for all who are outside the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. “For the wages of sin is death (Ro. 6:23a). It is a terrible payday, but a very real one.

IV. READINESS

Facing these realities, it is crucial for every person to make the proper plans for this journey. The more significant the journey, the more thorough our preparations. There must be a readiness for death. The psalmist underscored it when he wrote: “teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12).

How can we do it?

1st, we can think about death honestly.

Contemplate the reality that we will not always be in this world. Parents should help their children to develop a philosophy of life and death. This can be done in progressive steps as they mature. Adults should have some things settled about death. For example, have you made your will? If you don’t, the state will do it for you. And your hard-earned assets could be dispersed away from those people, the church, and philanthropic ministries you love most. What about your place of burial, as well as the type and setting for your memorial service?

In teaching, in practicing law, and in life Carrie had to contemplate the realities she faced and how to best address them.

2nd, death teaches us to make time count.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”

(Ecc. 3:1).

Carrie knew there was a time to work hard, and a time to enjoy life. While teaching she worked her way through law school. She shared moments Like when she would celebrate her birthday with her legal staff, dressing up and enjoying God’s gift of life.

3rd, death teaches us about eternal values.

What is important in life?

Some years ago a college football team won a hard-fought bowl game. The fans and team were ecstatic over the big victory. During the celebration in the locker room, word came that the head coach’s father, a spectator at the game, was fatally stricken with a heart attack. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. Tears, silence, and sadness filled the room that only moments before had been alive with happiness.

A player speaking to the press remarked that victory in the football game seemed insignificant in the light of the death of the coache’s father.

Carrie shared her triumphs and successes, large and small, with Charlie, her friends, and coworkers. She valued the people she lived life with and the people she served, loving her neighbor.

4th, death instructs us about the significance of relationships.

Never take for granted a spouse, a child, a grandchild, a cherished friend or colleague, a parent or grandparent. People are at the heart of who we are. Cherish every shared experience, the memories of special occasions. Make new memories. Write notes of love and gratitude.

Give something you value to someone you value.

Don’t be afraid to say, “I love you.”

A bereaved husband, reflecting on the sudden death of his wife, said that the thing hardest for him to deal with was remembering hearing her say, “I love you,” and kissing him as he went off to work.

Keep short accounts with disagreements and anger. Be quick to say, “I’m sorry” and “Forgive me.” Mend broken fences. Seek to live in your relationships so that regret will not be your companion in years ahead.

Carrie was heartbroken since the passing of Charlie. Even so she never stopped serving others and investing in relationships. Whether by sharing small moments, convictions, or simple things like walks, watering plants or loving on Boomer and Bella.

However, sharing  life was never as sweet as with Charlie.

5th, death underscores the most important preparation of all, preparing to go in to eternity to face God.

The Old Testament writer Amos said it in one sentence, “Prepare to meet your God!” (Amos 4:12).

Perhaps today as you reflect on the lessons death teaches us, you find yourself unsure if you are prepared to enter eternity and face God.

Earlier I shared from God’s Word “That the wages of sin is death.” The rest of that same verse states the “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Jesus made it clear when he said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Ro. 10:13)

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Ro. 10:9-10)

The experience of loss through death often brings about waves of emotion that crash into us; flooding our hearts, stirring up what we know with what we think we know.

It was shared with me that in her fleeting moments, Carrie began moving her legs, as she enjoyed doing years ago, this time marching into eternity.

If you find yourself unsure, questioning, or having never begun a relationship with Jesus Christ, please visit with me so that I may show you from God’s Word how to be prepared for eternity.

Let us Pray: Loving Father…