Druscilla G. Griffin

Druscilla G. Griffin, age 94, passed away on July 22, 2024 at Charter Senior Living in Sylvania. She was born on October 4, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio to Charles Henry Gibson Sr. and Corene (Porter) Gibson. Druscilla was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Charles Henry Gibson Jr., sisters, Susan Ann Galloway, Joyce A. Brown and (niece) Denise Galloway Robinson.

Druscilla accepted Christ at the age of twelve and was baptized in Third Baptist Church, on an Easter Sunday morning, by Rev. Calvin K. Stalnaker. She was a faithful member for more than sixty years. During her early years, Druscilla sang in the children's choir, was a member of Sunday School, served on the Junior Usher Board, B.Y.P.U., a member of the Girl's Guild and a member of the Girl Scouts. As an adult, she served on the Senior Usher Board, a member of the Sanctuary Choir as courtesy/treasure, a member of the Adult Sunday School, member of The Twentieth Century Literary Club, Women's Organization, worked in Bible School as a teacher and worked on various church committees with different projects. She also was involved with visiting the sick and shut-ins. Much of her time was spent in the community volunteering her services with The United Way, Volunteer Action Center Lucas County Mental Health Board and Big Brother, Big Sister Agency.

Druscilla received her early education in the Toledo Public Schools having graduated from Libbey High School in 1948. She and her twin sister Equilla went to Cleveland, Ohio to Erma Lee's Beauty School where they both received their diploma in cosmetology in 1949. To finance her education to higher education, Druscilla worked at Beckey's Beauty Shop and Central Plaza Beauty Room. She worked as an nurses aide at Robinwood Hospital (now St. Lukes), and St. Vincent Hospitals in Toledo, OH. While working and attending Mary Manse College, Druscilla received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1955. She began her teaching career in September of 1955, where she worked in The Toledo Public School System as a first grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School now (Martin Luther King Elementary.) While at Martin Luther King, she worked with University of Toledo and Bowling Green students as a critic teacher and multi-unit team leader. Later, Druscilla received her Masters in Education and Curriculum an Instruction from the University of Toledo in 1975 and Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Toledo in 1980. Druscilla worked in the Title 1 Program as a Remedial Reading Teacher, Reading Consultant, Diagnostician and Reading Teacher Specialist retiring from Pickett Elementary School in 1987. Druscilla was a dedicated teacher for thirty two years. 

 Druscilla was extremely active (after retirement) in many organizations and associations in doing community work, volunteering services with the Toledo Symphony League which she is a Life Member, The N.A.A.C.P. (Life Member), J.B. Simmons Association, Board of Governors (Working Girl's Home), Toledo Opera Guild, Friends of Toledo Day Nursery (Life Member), Woman Alive Coalition, Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated, The Toledo Club of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Woman's Clubs, Inc., Auxiliary to the Ability Center of Greater Toledo and the Toledo Woman's Club. 

Druscilla was professionally affiliated with The National Alliance of Black School Educators, Life Member of Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Life Member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and Lucas County Teachers Association, Life Member of National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc, Beta Gamma Chapter and Phi Delta Honorary Fraternity. She also holds membership in Kappa Delta Pi Honorary Society, Pi Lambda Theta National Honor and Professional Association in Education, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Delta Beta Chapter and Minority Alumnae Affiliate, University of Toledo.

 Druscilla has traveled extensively throughout the United States including cruises to the Caribbean Islands, Hawaiian Islands and Alaska. In July and August of 1995, she traveled with the Baptist World Alliance and ABC Mission Study Tour to Buenos Aires and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina; Santiago, Chile and Cochabamba and La Paz, Bolivia.

Druscilla has received many awards and recognition for her volunteer services within the community, she has reached out to others and was very compassionate that you could not help loving her. She loved people. To those who knew her and loved her, knows that her memory will never grow old. She loved teaching children. She returned to teaching as a substitute teacher for the Toledo Public School System from 1991 to the early 2000's.

She leaves to morn and cherish her memory her loving twin sister, Equilla G. Roach; loving brother, Novarro Gibson (Virginia); nieces, Kathryn Blueitt, Darla Galloway Burkett (Randy), Sheila Gibson, and Myra Roach; nephews, Charles Gibson III, Kenneth Gibson Sr.,  Donald Galloway Jr,. Raymond Gibson Sr, (Alfea) and Angelo Gibson Sr. (Felicia), a host of grand nieces and nephews, other extended family members, and loving friends. 

The family will receive guests on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, OH 43614 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (419-381-1900). Funeral Services will begin Friday at 11:00 am. at the funeral home followed by burial will at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo.

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