Mary Freda Griffith, Grandmother

Mary Freda Griffith,74, a longtime resident of Emporium, PA, more recently residing in St. Mary's and Port Allegany, died Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Lakeview Senior Care and Living Center in Smethport, PA following a long battle with cancer. Freda was surrounded by loved ones when she went to be with our Lord.

Born June 24, 1939 in Canton, NY, Freda was the daughter of the late Ernest and Helen Mae Howard. On April 18, 1959 she married Walter Earl McDowell, who predeceased her in death on September 11, 1965. Also preceding her were her three brothers Robert, Eldred and William Howard, two sisters Lettie Marie Howard and Jean Seahase, her eldest daughter Lorraine Shirley McDowell and 2 grandchildren Kodiak and Brogan McDowell.

In the years following Wally's death, Freda met and later married a young serviceman who had just completed a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. Freda's marriage to Dale Burton Griffith of Emporium, PA lasted over 20 years. Freda was a devoted mother to her children and loving grandmother and was passionate about nurturing their spiritual development. For many years she also dedicated her life to teaching children enrolled in the Head Start program in Emporium until her retirement in 2001. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Emporium, PA for many years and more recently of the First United Methodist Church of St. Mary's, PA.

She is survived by two daughters: Pamela (Rodney) Rees of Port Allegany, PA and Susan (Isaac) Smith of St. Mary's PA; three sons: Rev. Daniel (Terri) McDowell of Olean, NY, Timothy (Katie) McDowell of Chino, CA and Lt. Col. John McDowell of March Air Force Base in California; and 18 grandchildren Laura McDowell, Deborah McDowell, Sarah (Alfonse) Javed, Ryan Burns, Taylor (Kayla) Burns, Myles McDowell, Morgan McDowell, Leo McDowell-Chmelar, Kevin Rees, Eric Rees, Lisa (Shaun) Tyger, Nate (Jen) Rees, Kayla (Kyle) Nielsen, Anna Martin, Lindsay Howard, Katelyn Smith, Delana Smith and Addison Smith.

A visitation hour will be held at 10 am at the First Baptist Church of Emporium (424 N. Broad Street) on Saturday, January 11, 2014, followed by a memorial service at 11:00. Rev. Dr. Alfonse Javed, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in New York City, will officiate the memorial service. Burial will take place in Newton Cemetery, Emporium, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the church of your choice or to the American Cancer Society (P.O. Box 67, Bradford, PA 16701). Online condolence may be made at hartletarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Port Allegany.