Betty Denise Griffin, the middle daughter of the late Marvin Sr. and Kattie Griffin, graced the
world from May 28th,1957 to May 4th, 2024. Betty was called home to God after a year-long
battle with cancer. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she was raised as a Christian and was one of
six children who attended church when they were young. Betty was a sweet girl who loved to
laugh. Her younger days were spent in Baltimore City Public Schools during the day. Known as
a tom-boy, she spent evenings in her neighborhood with her brothers, sisters, cousins, and
neighbors. She gave birth to 5 children, nurturing and raising them to respect and to extend
kindness to others. Loving the outdoors, one of her favorite activities with her children was going
on walks and taking them down to the National Harbor to the Chocolate Fudge Factory.
She relocated from Baltimore, Maryland, to Washington, DC, with her two youngest children in
2003. She attended programs that helped individuals work on self-improvement and gain better
opportunities for themselves. With determination, she received her GED from Living Wages in
2007. Betty was skilled in the kitchen. She worked numerous jobs in kitchen settings. She
attended DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training Program in 2008 and was later hired as a
Breakfast Coordinator.
It was at DC Central Kitchen that Betty met her husband, Freddie Smith. The couple later
married in 2012. They enjoyed music and dancing with each other. She was very
family-oriented. There was nothing Betty would not do for her family. She loved her children and
her husband deeply. She often regretted that her family was not under one roof but prayed that
her eldest children would understand her decision to relocate from Baltimore. She treasured her
bond with them.
In her spare time, when Betty was not working, she loved to sing in her high-pitched voice and
dance. She was not fond of people taking pictures of her, but she loved capturing family
moments together on her digital camera. She also enjoyed attending plays, going to museums,
and collecting statues. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and
hearing about their accomplishments as they age.
Betty leaves behind to cherish her memory two sons, Clinton Williams and Kevin Owens; two
daughters, Letithia Williams and Rushawna May; her husband, Freddie Smith; two sisters, Ruby
Griffin and Rosalee Griffin; one brother, Melvin Griffin; 6 grandchildren, Kamiya and Kaziah
Williams, Kevin, Kennedy and Kia Owens, and Octavia Tolbert; and a host of nieces, great
nieces, nephews and other relatives, and friends. As we bid farewell to Betty, we take comfort in
knowing that her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched. Her love, kindness, and
compassion legacy will continue to inspire us all.