Claudia J. Griffith

Claudia Jean Griffith, 67, passed away on July 14, 2018 suddenly of a heart attack in Norman, Oklahoma. Her husband of 47 years, James Claud Griffith, was by her side at her death.

Claudia was born on September 2, 1950 in Altus, Oklahoma to Claud and Margie Russell. Her greatest joys were being a wife, mother, grandmother, and serving her community and state. Claudia dedicated her life to serving the underprivileged and the most vulnerable among us. Besides being a wife and mother, she was a Registered Nurse and received her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma. Claudia was Norman Regional Hospital’s first full-time Patient Education Coordinator, she worked at the Cleveland County Health Department, and she was a program consultant at the OU Health Promotions Program, working with Native American tribes all over North America on health education and disease prevention. She served as the Executive Director of Health for Friends, a healthcare non-profit organization that provided prenatal, chronic disease, pharmacy, and dental services to the underserved and indigent. Claudia was one of the first Oklahomans to volunteer as a responder in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

Claudia was always very active in her local community and was an advocate of women in leadership and education. She volunteered as President of several Norman Public School PTAs and as a leader in her sons’ Boy Scout Troops.

Claudia found her true calling serving the people of Oklahoma as a State Representative for House District 45 in 2014 and was re-elected in 2016. Her accomplishments include authoring and passing legislation to help survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, developing public-private partnership business opportunities, and increasing equal access for the elderly and disabled. Governor Mary Fallin appointed her to the Oklahoma Veterans Task Force, which works to improve services for veterans across our state.

Those who ever met Claudia knew her to be effervescent, vivacious, tenacious, argumentative, stubborn, strong, and magnetic. She made people laugh and her laugh was contagious to all who heard it. People felt that they could talk to her, and strangers often did. Claudia cut directly to the heart of any issue, whether it was related to a social concern or to a family member’s plans for the future. She was singular and all-encompassing in her family’s lives. Claudia will be missed beyond measure.

Claudia is survived by: her husband Jim; children Amy (Errol Chapnick) Griffith, Brian (Kristi) Griffith, and James Griffith; one beloved granddaughter, Maryetta Rose Griffith; brother Paul (Mary) Russell; sister Robin (David) Brookins; brother Mark Russell; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents.

A private funeral for family and friends of the family will be conducted by Rev. Lori Walke at Mayflower Congregational Church on Thursday, July 19th at 2:00pm. (Located at 63rd and NW Expressway in Oklahoma City).

In addition, there will be a public memorial service to celebrate her life and impact on the State of Oklahoma community on Friday, July 20th at the Oklahoma State Capitol in the House of Representatives Chambers.

Flowers are welcome; memorial donations may be made to Bethesda, Inc. and Yes All Daughters, an initiative of Proper Groove, a 501(c)3.

The family asks that you post stories and memories of Claudia on her Tribute Wall.