Thelma Mae Griffin Force

Thelma Mae Griffin Force, better known as Sis by her friends and Marmee by her family, 92, of Valdosta, peacefully passed from this life in her Valdosta home on April 23, 2024. Born in Macon, Georgia, on December 6, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Wesley Griffin, Sr. and Leila Thelma Spivey Griffin. Sis grew up in Valdosta and at Twin Lakes where she and her brother, the late Maj Gen Joseph Wesley Griffin, Jr., often swam across the lake with their mother rowing a boat beside them. She graduated from Valdosta High School in 1948 with the “Big Nine” – close dear friends from grade school into adult life. Next, Sis graduated with an Elementary Education degree from Valdosta State College and later received her Library Science degree also from Valdosta State College.
 
 She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Dr. Everett Gornto Force. Everett and Sis were the first couple to marry at The Crescent Garden Center on June 11, 1955, in Valdosta. They shared many travel adventures together as she kept meticulous journals deliciously describing the sights and food they enjoyed all over the world.

Marmee is survived by her daughters and sons in law, Lisa Force Lang (Wayne), Dena Force Hunter (Forrest), and by her son and daughter in law, Wesley Gornto Force (Carolyn); by her treasured grandchildren, Elizabeth Lang Pritchard (Cory), Matthew Lang (Kerrie), Lauren Hunter Malone (Marc), Shelby Hunter, Daniel Force (Grace), Sara Force Williams (Don), Alden Force (Emily); and by her delightful great grandchildren, Hannah, Hayley, and Harper Pritchard, Evelyn and Morris Lang, Hunter Malone, Brody and Briggs Force, Waylon, Maeleigh, and Oaklynn Williams, Nora and Griffin Force - all who will forever respect, love, cherish, and admire their precious Marmee. Her favorite scripture was 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Always humble and kind, Sunday school teacher, VBS snack lady, nursing home flower deliverer, and Ladies’ Bible class and faithful life-long member of Central Avenue Church of Christ, Sis served as the church librarian for more than 40 years.   She was a true Southern Christian lady who did her best in all that she endeavored, loved the Lord and others deeply, and shared that love with many.  Her friends and family will remember her as being lovingly involved in their lives whether it was sending encouragement cards, helping with someone sick or hurting, or cooking meals. She was especially known for her Sand Tarts, Fudge, Nuts and Bolts, Boiled Peanuts, Cheese Grits, Brown Rice, Chicken Divan, Butter Beans, Banana Pudding, and Sour Cream Pound Cake. These were her grandchildren’s favorites! She was dearly loved “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck!”
 
A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Carson McLane Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Georgia Christian School, 4359 Dasher Road, Dasher, GA 31601. Condolences to the family may be conveyed on the Obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home