Jocelyn Ann Griffin

Jocelyn A. Griffin

January 18, 1956 – November 29, 2022

Jocelyn Ann Griffin was born on January 18, 1956, in Utica, New York, to Grace O. Moore and
Douglas Smith. She was raised for many years by Robert and Mary Lee Atkins, whom she called
Mom and Dad. She grew up in Utica and attended local schools and graduated from Proctor
High School. Jocelyn attended Mohawk Valley Community College and she studied nursing and
EMT. She was employed by the Utica Sobering Up Station where she was a counselor and an
EMT. In 1976 she met James Griffin, Jr. for the first time and then again in 1981 when he asked
her out. She told her friends she wasn’t interested in him but in 1985 they were married. To
this union was born Matthew A. Griffin and Michael A. Griffin and she took on James’ two
children Nanette and James lll, as though they were her very own.
Jocelyn was a faithful member to St Matthew’s Temple COGIC for many years, and she gave her
life to the Lord at a very young age. She loved the youth choir and working with the youth
department. After relocating to Liverpool, New York, she attended Bread of Life COGIC where
she continued working with the youth and Sunday School Departments. Christ was first in her
life, followed by her family and friends. Her faith and excellent work ethics carried right over
into her jobs, working for James Square Nursing Home and then at John Muir Health Facility in
Concord, California.
Jocelyn followed her husband to California after his retirement in 2000 and said, “wherever he
goes I’m going but I would prefer staying in New York State.” Two years after moving you were
unable to get her to think about going back to New York. She was hired by John Muir Health
Facility, and they became a second family for her. She attended Grace Temple COGIC in
Antioch, California. Their loving members drew her into their hearts through loving kindness
and it was impossible to think about going back to the cold and snow. Her final move was to
Stockton, California where she and her husband purchased their home with their children. Elder
Terry Johnson preached in Antioch, California and she told her husband that she wanted to
attend the church in Stockton that he belonged to. The first Sunday we attended that church
which was Greater Maranatha COGIC, where Pastor Terrance Saffold was the Pastor. After
hearing him preach it was cemented that this was the church for her. Jocelyn faithfully served
with the Deaconess, Women’s Department and co-hosted the Couple’s Ministry with her
husband.
Jocelyn was preceded in death by both Robert and Mary Atkins and her brother Steven. She
leaves to mourn her husband James of 37 years, sons Matthew, Michael and James lll. Daughter
Nanette (Johnny) and grandchildren Amilo, Angelina, La Rhonda and Tyrique, great
grandchildren Jamarien, Janiah and Janariah. Her mother Grace Moore, brothers Robert, Elliott,
Eugene and Jonathan. Sisters Jeanette, Marlene, Debra (Al), Alberta, Carla (George) and Martha
Ann. Godson Kaimauri, Goddaughters Kariah and Samantha. Special friends Karen Charlot,

Helen Clark, Twila Gaines and Missionary Willie Greene, Eva Griffin and special love for Robert
Bradley, Sr. A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Special thank you to Dr Jane Choi and the staff at Pleasant Hill Cancer Center, and to the San
Joaquin Hospice.
We love and miss Jocelyn, but God loved her more and her mission down here has been
completed. Her new assignment has now begun in a new location called Heaven. Sleep on
“BEAUTIFUL QUEEN,” we will see you in the morning.

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