On November 25, 1923 in Cathy, Oklahoma, a baby boy was born from the union of Essie Alexander and Israel McGriff. They named their new son Henry Azri McGriff.


He was raised in the Hoffman, Oklahoma area, where he learned how to work at an early age. Henry left schooland joined the CC-camp, where he was prepared for duty in the United States Navy, during World War II. He served for four years Honorably. While in the military, he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Roberta Ann Lewis on September 20, 1944. From this union, fourteen children were born, thirteen boys and one loving daughter.


Henry was a loving father and husband and he worked hard to support his family until his retirement in 1982 due to his health reasons. He was raised in the Methodist faith, but later in life, he joined with Revival Center House of Prayer, where Mother Grace Tucker was Pastor. There, he served faithfully and became an ordained Minister himself. He left Revival Center and with the help of family, started the Holy Temple House of Prayer in Grayson, Oklahoma, where he was the Senior Pastor for many years until his health failed.


"Yank" as he was affectionately referred to, worked many years in the construction industry for Oil Capitol Electric as their labor foreman.


After "fourscore and eight years", Elder Henry A. McGriff, Sr., responded to the Master's beckoning on Wednesday morning, July 11, 2012 from Okmulgee. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mary Ann.


Remaining to cherish his loving memory; all of his children, Roy, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Joseph [Anna], Sands Springs, Oklahoma, Henry Jr., [Yvonne], Tampa, Florida, Carolyn [Paul], Wiley, Texas, Theodore [Francis], Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tommy [Katie], Muskogee, Oklahoma, Ronald, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Calvin [Sharon], and Mark, all of Okmulgee, Benson, Tyrone [Jacqueline], Elmer, Dexter [Markisha], all of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Harlan [Ericka], Cleveland, Oklahoma; a brother-in-law, Ellsworth Lewis, Grayson, Oklahoma; two sisters-in-law, Carrie Mae Lewis, Grayson, Oklahoma and Quincella Lewis, Tulsa, Oklahoma; two dear cousins, Edward Nash, Hoffman, Oklahoma and Earl Nash, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a God-brother, whom he loved, Odell Pannell, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; a caravan of grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.


The Hour of Remembrance for Elder McGriff will be on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 3:00 P.M. in the Saint Matthew Baptist Church. Reverend McKinley Rice is the gracious host Pastor and Reverend R. D. McConnell will officiate. Burial will follow in the Kusa Cemetery at Hoardsville, Oklahoma.

You may visit Elder McGriff, as he slumbers in peaceful repose at the funeral home in Okmulgee on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.