Nola was born on April 23, 1933, to Arnold Allen and Lureatha Scott. Nola attended Oliver Elementary School in South Bend, Indiana, and acclaims she was motivated early on by confiding in one of her teachers Mr. Earnest Harvey that she wanted someday to become a lawyer, he responded, "Nola you can be anything you want to be!" At Central High School, she joined the Theater Group, Glee Club, the Varsity Debate Team, and the school Orchestra where she learned to play the bass violin. Nola graduated Salutatorian in 1949. Because her grades were superior Nola won a scholarship from the Automobile manufacturer "Studebaker" where both her parents worked for many years thus Nola was accepted and entered the University of Michigan.

She met and married her late husband, Dr. Howard Griffin, MD and to their union, a son was born Howard Griffin, Jr. Nola received her bachelors degree in 1952, completed her Law Degree in 1954, and passed the Bar Exam that fall. Nola practiced law for 19 years. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Notre Dame and became a professor at the University of Alabama and the University of South Florida.

All in all, Nola has been a lifetime high achiever earning 8 degrees in various professions. While licensed in Michigan and Indiana, she practiced law in Indianapolis and served as Judge responsible for enforcing child support orders in the circuit until 1972. There she also worked tirelessly to end the extreme housing discrimination that was in existence during that time. Her political parties in the State of Indiana and the only full delegate to the National Convention of the African American designation.

At the request of A. Leon Lowry, Pastor of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church, opened its first Daycare center after she and her son took the necessary course to be Early Childhood Care Givers and obtained the license to serve 103 youngsters and 501(c)(7) designation. The daycare opened with 75 youngsters, all under the age of three years. Nola loved every aspect of being a part of her favorite organization for 72 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and devoting her energy to her Gamma Theta Omega Tampa Chapter. She was elected to two offices and served on numerous committees.

Nola enjoyed reading, knitting, cooking, traveling, community volunteering, and Bible studies. Nola was a devoted Christian, she loved the Lord, family, and friends.

Dr. Nola Allen was preceded in death by her parents; Arnold Allen and Lureatha Scott; husband, Dr. Howard Griffin Sr. MD; son, Howard Griffin, Jr.

She leaves cherished memories with her nephews; Dr. James Griffin, Donald Griffin Sr.; niece, Carolle Griffin, special friends and family, Dr and Mrs. James Brookins, Attorneys; Carolyn House-Stewart and Delano Stewart, Robert and Marian Russler, Attorney; Kaydell Wright-Douglas III, Esquire, and Attorney Will Douglas, Jr. Carl and Dianne Musson, Cheryl and Henry Washington, Essie Pearl Mobley, and her Beulah Baptist Idlewild Baptist Church family a host of many other friends and associates. She was respected and loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Aikens Funeral Home