Marjorie Ellen (Griffing) Lees

Marjorie Ellen (Griffing) Lees, 87 years young, passed peacefully from this world into Jesus’ arms on the evening of July 19, 2022. A Celebration of Life service will be held on August 2, 2022 at 1:30pm. at Pathway Church, 325 NW Renfro Street in Burleson, Texas.

Jo Ellen (JoJo to many) was born July 15, 1935 in McGehee, Arkansas to Norman and Mary Louise Griffing. An only child, she grew up mostly in beautiful Mountain Home, Arkansas. She graduated High School from Bossier City, Louisiana in 1953 and then went on to get an Art Education degree from Baylor University in 1957 in Waco, Texas.  She was an active member of the Athenean Club at Baylor which later became Kappa Kappa Gamma. As an Art major, she helped to create all of the backdrops and props for the very first All University Sing in 1953.

She married Dr. Troy Moody and taught Art in Dallas Public Schools while beginning a family.

In 1964 she moved to Odessa, Texas where she was an active member at First Baptist Church, was a member and the president of the Odessa Junior League, and developed many life long friendships.

In 1980 she began working as an Interior Designer at Ethan Allen Interiors and then later for Drexel Heritage for the next 30+ years, earning her American Society of Interior Designers license.

In 1981 she married William Richard (Dick) Lees in Odessa, Texas in a lovely ceremony in their home. They were happily married for 41 years, enjoying a shared love of their children and grandchildren, music and the theater, and frequent travel adventures with friends.

In 1998 they moved to Fort Worth, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They were active members of Travis Avenue Baptist Church and sang with the Praise Singers. They also attended Pathway Church. JoJo was a good and faithful servant of the Lord who loved her church, family and community.

She is preceded in death by her son, Fletcher Gaston Moody and her parents, Norman and Mary Louise Griffing.

She is survived by her loving husband, Dick Lees, her daughter, Laurie McDonald and husband Michael and two sons Clay McDonald and Craig McDonald and daughter Shauna Pittman Hamby and her husband Scott and her children Collin Pittman, Nathan Pittman and JoEllen Pittman. She is also survived by her son’s children Summer Moody Stanley and husband Charles, Tyler Moody and wife Ravin and children Eli and Emory, Jordan Moody; and Fletcher’s wife, Diana Moody.   

She is also survived by her stepchildren and their families, Dallas Owen and husband Rick, their children Justin Owen and wife Lara, Jacob Owen and wife Summer and children Lennyx and Ryder, and James Owen and wife Corinne and daughter, Dallas Ruth; Leann White and husband Joe and their daughters Alexa White and Merrick White; and Bruce Lees.

Her family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association

at:  act.alz.org