EUZELIA COOPER GRIFFITH

Euzelia “Zee” Pauline Cooper Griffith

Euzelia Pauline Cooper Griffith affectionally known as Zee to friends and Zee Zee to family was born August 9, 1934, in Clarksdale Mississippi. She was the youngest of four children born to the late Fredrick S. Cooper and Cozetta G. Cooper. The Cooper’s raised their family with sound Christian values and an understanding of the importance of education. Zee completed her elementary and secondary education in Mississippi. When it was time to select a college she chose Fisk University, a private historically Black college located in Nashville, TN. where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. After graduation she returned to Mississippi to teach with her Social Studies Certification in Secondary Level Education. She was always strong in her faith, attending church regularly and volunteering whenever needed. It was not a surprise that it was during a church bazaar when she met her future husband, Dr. John Herbert Griffith. John described the day he met Zee (whom he called “Peach”) as “the happiest day of my life”. They married at Friendship African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, in Clarksdale, Mississippi on June 11, 1960, and formed a union that could not be broken. They were proud of one another, made decisions together, and expressed a love that is usually reserved for romance novels. This union was blessed with two children, Nell Antoinette, and the late Ronald Maurice. John and Zee began life together in Clarksdale Mississippi, followed by a move north to Rochester, New York, and finally settling in San Diego, California. Her priorities were always faith, family, and service. She balanced caring for her family with her volunteerism. She was involved with the Girl Scouts of San Diego & Imperial County, Salvation Army, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, Parent Teachers Association (PTA), HeadStart Board of Directors and United Negro College Fund. She was a long-standing member of Golden Hill/Christ United Presbyterian Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a founding member of Carousels, and member of Women Incorporated. Remembering Zee is to remember her warm smile, beautiful coiffure, her style, and grace. She was a great cook and an even better baker. Her name was synonymous with 7-up cake. She often said that cooking was the way she showed her love. At vacation bible school, youth group cook outs or church potlucks we appreciated her wonderful expressions of love. When not volunteering and taking care of her family, she enjoyed playing bridge, entertaining, gardening, shopping and sewing. Zee was a very loving mother and grandmother who was extremely supportive of her daughter Nell and granddaughter Ashley Gabrielle Forge. She was thrilled to become a “Nana” as evidenced by the photos of Ashley in every room of the house and how all of San Diego knowing. When Zee worked as Director of Operations at Christ United, she kept photos of Ashley placed under glass and rotated them often. On occasion she would have Ashley join her as her “special” assistant. Nell eventually moved her mother to Los Angeles to live with she and Ashley for several years until Ashley left to begin her college education at University of San Francisco. Once Ashley left for school and it became apparent that Zee missed the comfort of her home, friends, and church family, so Nell made the move back to San Diego where Zee was called home peacefully. Zee lived a life full of joy, love, and compassion for others. Her daughter Nell said it best …”She liked to smile and laugh, she enjoyed life, she was grateful, and she took great care of Daddy, Ronald, and me.” God called Zee home into his heavenly presence on August 5, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Nell Griffith Forge, her granddaughter Ashley Gabrielle Forge, and her brother Dr. Gorge Cooper. Proceeding Zee in death was her father Fredrick, mother Cozetta, brother Fred Cooper, sister Dr. Dolores C. Shockley, husband Dr. John H. Griffith, son Ronald Maurice Griffith, and son-in-law Dr. James Orlando Forge

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