Debra Jo Griffin

Debra Jo Griffin, 52, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Debra was born to Albert and Louisa Griffin in Topeka, Kansas on December 20, 1963. Debbie grew up in Topeka, but called many places home. For the past several years, she lived and worked in Denver, CO where she was Assistant Vice-President at Bank of America before recently moving to Lawrence, KS.

Debbie will be forever cherished by her beloved son, Eric Thomas Marshall, of Lawrence, KS; Her brother Eric Griffin, Topeka, KS; and her sisters, LouAnn Rumbley, Lawrence, KS; Coleen Ferdig, Monett, MO; and Sara McGinnis, Sheridan, WY; her Aunt Camilla Howley, Topeka, KS and half-brother, George Griffin, Meridan, KS. She will be missed by her nieces and nephews: Christopher (Kelsey) Rumbley, Atchison, KS; Laci (Dan) Tower, Gardner, KS; Tristan Ferdig, Monett, MO; Shannon (Kevin) Lewis, Ft. Collins, CO; David (Holly) Tate, Gillette, WY; Caitlin McGinnis, Augusta, MI; JJ McGinnis, Laramie, WY, and numerous cousins. Debbie also dearly loved her extended family including nieces Scarlett Pratt and Brandi Bolin, and their families; and mother in-law, Janice Marshall and family.

Debbie made friends easily and was happiest when entertaining and cooking for the many people who gathered in her home. Her holiday celebrations were legendary, because of the hilarity and silliness that she brought to those events. Debbie was fiercely competitive when it came to playing Dominoes. She was known as the Domino Queen and took no prisoners. Debbie also loved traveling and living in new places. She embraced new cultures, often learning the language and traditional customs and dances of several countries. During her time in Hawaii, Debbie learned to dance the hula and could shake it up with the best of them. Last year Debbie was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling with Eric to Naples, Italy, the place of his birth. Even though she traveled far and wide, Debbie treasured time with family the most.

Visitation with the family will be from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00a.m., Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence, Topeka. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. following the visitation. Interment will be at Prairie Home Cemetery. A reception will take place after internment at Penwell-Gabel Family Center, 245 NW Independence, Topeka.

To share a memory of Debra or to leave a special message of condolence, please visit the guestbook below.