M. Elaine Griggs Youngblood, 94, a resident of Farmington, Fulton County, IL, died Monday, March 15, 2010, at 5:20 pm at the Farmington Country Manor. She was born December 15, 1915 in Farmington, IL, the daughter of James Fenton Patterson and Alfretta Howerter and she was the step-daughter of Theresa Elizabeth Emans. She married John Elisha Griggs, on September 10, 1936 in Farmington. He preceded her in death on October 19, 1965. She then married Roy O. Youngblood on June 5, 1978 in Farmington. He preceded her in death on May 15, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her son, Joe E. Griggs, and her brother, Harold Irving Patterson. Surviving are two children, Joan Etta (Allan) Gingerich of St. Charles, MO and John E. (Mary Jo Sutton) Griggs of Okemos, MI; four grandchildren, Dee Ann Smyth of St. Charles, MO, Michael Allan Gingerich of Bourbonnais, Karen Lynn Griggs of Carrollton, TX, and Kimberly Jo Griggs of Lansing MI; and six great grandchildren, Jared Michael, Jacob Wesley, and Kaitlyn Nichole Gingerich and Liam Patrick Dillon Kelly Elaine, and Moira Elizabeth Smyth; and her sister Carol Mae Parry of Rockford. Elaine was a 1933 graduate of Farmington High School. She received her teaching certificate in 1937 from Western Illinois Teachers Collage in Macomb and graduated in 1970 from Bradley University in Peoria. She taught school in Trivoli, Hanna City, and Farmington. She volunteered at the Farmington grade school and the Wildlife Prairie State Park for over eight years. Elaine was a member of the United Methodist Church of Farmington, Rebekah Lodge, the Order of the Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the American Association of University Women. Visitation will be held at Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home, Farmington on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 1:00 to 1:45 pm pm followed by a 2:00 pm graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Farmington. Rev. David Swain will be officiating. Memorials may be made to her church. Online condolences may be sent to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
Murphy-Sedgwick Memorial Home