Willie Mae (Starks) Griffin

Willie Mae Starks was born on March 21, 1950 to Lula Mae Starks and Robert Tubbs, in Uniontown/Selma, Alabama. She departed this life on December 27, 2024.

After spending her early years in Alabama, she moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Willie attended Smart Elementary, Weisser Park Junior High School, and Central High School, from which she graduated in 1968.

Willie had an extensive work history; she worked for the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, the State Highway Department, Lincoln Life, Magnavox, Zollner, Allen County Economic Opportunity Council, which later became CANI and now called Brightpoint. Willie’s greatest passion was her independence as an entrepreneur, creating AUDGED’s Enterprises. She gave back to the community by mentoring and volunteering. Willie was a certified Esthetician, a massage therapist, a nail technician, a certified Book Publisher, a certified etiquette consultant, and a certified Life Coach. Willie was only a few courses away from Dean status for Certificate of Progress Program (COPP). She was not one to remain idle or to shy away from obstacles; Willie had an eagle’s mentality, to soar above it all.

In 1973, Willie married Harry Griffin and a year later was baptized at Pilgrim Baptist Church, after leaving Good Sheperd Lutheran Church. To their union was born a son, Harron Gedryc Griffin and a daughter, Audum Nalyra Griffin. While at Pilgrim, Willie embraced being a greeter and was instrumental in forming The Kingdom Woman Ministry.

Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, her children, and nine grandchildren, her brothers; Thomas (Marjorie Ann) Essex, Jr., Donald Gregory (Kimberly Sue) Essex, possibly Mickey Roonie Essex and many other relatives, specifically members of the Starks and Dansby families.

Willie was preceded in death by her grandparents, George and Cynie Starks, her parents, a granddaughter, Katelyn Elizabeth Victoria Griffin, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other family members and friends.

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