Wilson Little Funeral Home
Purcell-Newcastle, McClain Co., OK
(permission granted)

Juanita Griffith age 97 of Newcastle passed away Friday, March 06, 2015 in Okla City. She was born April 17, 1917 in Alex, Oklahoma. She was the fifth child of ten children born to Will Edward Chastain and Leola Elizabeth (Yarbrough) Chastain. Juanita’s mother died when she was twelve years old, leaving her to help raise her siblings. She grew up a farm girl and attended school in a two room school in Goldsby. Later her family moved several times but remained in the McClain and Cleveland County Area.

She married William Richard, W.R., “Preach” Griffith on September 1, 1935 in Norman, Okla. Together they raised one daughter, Patsy Ann and made their home three miles south of Newcastle on a farm. When they were first married Juanita and Preach farmed cotton and worked side by side in the fields. Over the years, the Griffith’s increased their farming operation and began dairying. For many years, Juanita drove their milk truck to Gilt Edge Dairy in Norman. Juanita continued to live on the farm until her health forced her to move to an assisted living center in 2011. Juanita was interested in politics and was very active in the McClain County and Oklahoma Democratic Party. She served several years as the State Co-Chair of the State Democratic Party. During this time she was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1964 and 1968. She campaigned diligently for many candidates during the 1960’s and 70’s at the county, state and national level. Juanita was also an active member of the National Milk Producers Association where she served as a voting delegate. In 1977 during President Jimmy Carter’s term in office Juanita was appointed to the state ASCS Committee, becoming the first Oklahoman woman to serve on the committee. Juanita loved sports, especially OU football and the Oklahoma City Thunder. She began attending OU home football games in the 1950’s and also traveled to away games for many years. She was a faithful Christian and was a member of the Newcastle First Baptist Church since 1938.

She was preceded in death by: Husband, W.R. “Preach” Griffith in 1982; Parents, Ed and Leola Chastain; All of her siblings, 5 Brothers, Albert, Hubert, Clifton, Graham and Douglas Chastain; 4 Sisters, Twanda Kilgore, Audra Hendrix, Bernice Endicott and Elwanda Vezerian.

She is survived by: Daughter, Patsy Ann McMahan and husband Orvis of Newcastle; Three granddaughters and their families, Gale and husband Tim Wilson of Purcell, Liz and husband Dr. Jim Melton of OKC, Kathy and husband Corey Black of Newcastle; Seven great grandchildren, Taylor and husband Nick Thurmond of Austin, TX, Kale, McKenzie and Morgan Melton of OKC, Collin and Chloe Black of Newcastle, Abigail Wilson of Purcell; Two great great grandchildren, Oliver Gray Thurmond and Eleanor Griffith Thurmond. Many other loving relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Newcastle.

Interment will be at the Newcastle Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the “Living The Vision” building fund at Newcastle First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 299, Newcastle, OK. 73065.

The family will receive friends at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Newcastle on Monday evening from 6-8pm.