Ms. Kathy Williams Griffin was born on May 25, 1959, in New Smyrna Beach, FL, to the union of the late Edward Williams and Jean Williams. She moved to Jacksonville, FL with her family while still a young child. From an early age, Kathy accepted Christ in her life and spent her childhood worshipping at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Duval County. She received formal Christian education from Holy Rosary K-8 and Bishop Kenny High School, class of 1977. Upon graduation, Kathy looked forward to her next chapter as she packed her belongings and relocated to Tampa, FL where she enrolled as a college student at The University of South Florida (go Bulls). It was at USF where Kathy truly began to discover who she was and her true callings in life. Kathy followed the path of her mother, a long-time educator herself and received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She fervently believed in educating our youth and preparing them for their futures, so she set out to intern in local elementary schools within Hillsborough County Public Schools before she even walked across the stage to receive her diploma. Kathy went on to serve as an educator at her dear Forest Hills Elementary School, where she taught students grades first through fourth at that same school for over 25 years. Kathy spent the last few years of her 34-year teaching career at Ventura Elementary School (Orange County Public Schools) in Orlando, FL. Kathy cherished her time learning and growing while at USF. It was there that she met the love of her life, Edward, and they wed on June 20, 1981, in Jacksonville, FL. To this union, Edward and Kathy's oldest daughter, Jeanene, was born, and 5 years later they welcomed a second daughter, Grashondra. Kathy poured everything she had into raising their girls to be educated, compassionate, well-rounded children of God. Edward and Kathy made the decision to make Tampa their permanent home as they set out in their careers and raised their children. She continued her Christian faith as a member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church where she remained a faithful servant even in her last days. Kathy was known for being quite the creative, earning the nickname "Marquita Stewart" as she had a love for all things arts, crafts, sewing, decorating, and DIY. Yet still, Kathy's most passionate hobby was serving with her beloved sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kathy was initiated as an AKA in the Fall of 1979 during her undergraduate time at The University of South Florida. She and 10 other ladies on her line, "Pink Chablis", formed an unbreakable lifelong bond that was near and dear to Kathy's heart. Her line sisters supported Kathy at her wedding, while raising and serving as Godparents to her two girls, they even took turns visiting with her over the 8 months prior to her passing. As a life member and active graduate member of the Gamma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc.,  Kathy worked day and night, night and day for AKA, supporting community service projects with her crafting skills. Her greatest outreach was with the Precious Pearls and Emerging Young Leaders youth groups, hosted by Gamma Theta Omega to prepare minority high school and middle school young ladies for life and college. God called Kathy home on Monday, June 30, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Williams; two sisters, Constance "Connie" Williams and Arnette Davis White; and nephew, Renard Agbontaen.

She leaves to cherish her memory: a devoted husband of 44 years, Edward Griffin (of Tampa, FL); daughters, Jeanene LeSure (Jarred) and Grashondra Griffin; mother, Jean Williams; her eldest sister, Carolyn Jones; two younger brothers, Edward Williams, Jr. (Angela) and Girard Williams; stepson, Terrell Griffin (La'Deshia); grandchildren, Shauntel Christopher, Kashaun Christopher, Treyvon Christopher, Janiya LeSure, and Tierra and Tiana Griffin; and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, colleagues, sorority sisters, other relatives and friends.