Tribute for Lynda K. Griffin | Williamson & Sons Funeral Home

Lynda K. Griffin passed away at home on October 15, 2024, after an extended 5 year war with Alzheimer’s. Mom was born on August 30, 1938, in Albertville, Alabama (Roll Tide). She attended Albertville High School, and, soon after graduation moved to Chattanooga where she began working for Eastern Airlines. It was here she met Charles Griffin (Go Vols) and they were married in Milton, Fl. on May 6, 1961. It was generally a happy marriage except for the 3rd Saturday in October.

In 1962, Mom opened Lookout Travel Agency, which would grow to be the second largest travel agency in the region. This began a journey that would last almost 60 years and allow her to travel the world, many times escorting corporate groups of upwards of 200 people on her trips. She loved to travel and see the world and loved helping others do the same. She blazed a trail in the world of travel and women owned businesses that many others would follow. Mom was well respected by her peers, and most importantly, was a mentor and exemplary role model for the young women who were fortunate to work with her.

Her largest group was over 1,000 strong spanning an 8-10 week period to Cannes, France. At the end of the trip, she was awarded the “Key to the City” from Cannes for bringing this level of tourism to the city. One of her most enjoyable was escorting the Chattanooga Boys Choir to our sister city of Hamm, Germany so they could to perform. She also escorted many groups all over the world from Hawaii to Europe to China to Russia. In the early 1970s, Mom was invited to go to China with other travel agents so they could come back and promote China being newly opened back up to the world. She was astounded at how the majority of the Chinese people, with whom she interacted, had never met, or even seen, someone that was not Chinese. She loved escorting her groups from Provident Insurance, Interstate and Gulf Life Insurance, Martin Industries and Modern Maid to various destinations, especially Hawaii. Mom also enjoyed her Delta Queen River boat charters from Chattanooga to St. Louis. Her travel agency Christmas parties and trips with the travel agency staff were legendary, especially the Amelia Island trips (Thanks Andre!)

In 2011, Mom underwent a double lung transplant at Duke Hospital. They measure their success by surviving 5 years, so 13 years was exceptional. Our thanks to the Duke team for such an unbelievable gift of time.

Mom was proceeded in death by her mom and step-dad, Dick and Inez Richey (Roll Tide) and her husband, Charles (Go Vols).

She is survived by her son, Chip (Kandy Huggins), Grandsons Cole Griffin and Christian Richards (Go Vols), cousins Tommie Jo Duvall (Roll Tide) and Suzanne Bailey (War Damn Eagle), sister-in-law Martha Randolph (Go Vols) and her children, Rhys (Deming) Fish and Reb (Christie) Randolph (Go Vols). Mom always said she wanted a house full of boys and she is survived by all of the following, in no particular order, that made that wish come true over the years: David Mallen, David Williams, Mark Brown, Steven Musick, Carlton Davis, Brew Yates, Scott Stanford, Gary Camp, Ned Baker, Hoop, Billy T, Hank Hale, Trey Nolan, Ian Scott and a host of other unnamed conspirators. She is also survived by her travel family: Marie Chinery, Toni Taylor, Barbara Dawkins, Laura Dean, Melissa Finch, Pat Bridges, Mary Alice Northern, Fredia Higdon, Barbara McClain, Mary Caldwell, Julie Dodson, Starla Morgan, Susan Garrett, John Burson, Andre Papa, Missy Thompson and Laura Sexton.

A huge, more huge than you know, thanks to her neighbors, David and Brooke, and her caregivers, Anita, Jeanie, Beth, Carol J, Carol C, Guelda, Susan, Teresa, Lori, Paige, Linda T., Erin, Rachel, Tami, Rosemary, Gloria and Karen, without whom, we would have never been able to keep Mom living comfortable in her own home these last 5 years.

A short graveside ceremony will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and, following the service, a casual celebration of life will be held from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Chattanooga Yacht Club Clubhouse at 9400 N. Hickory Valley Road.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Gentiva Hospice at https://www.gentivahs.com/about/donate/ or to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/tn

Roll Tide

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.

Arrangements are by Williamson and Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379.

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