Memorial
Leo Lenard Griggs, 93, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on December 30th, 2020. He was born on August 7th, 1927 in Waterloo, Iowa to the union of Theodore Griggs Sr. and Gussie Green Griggs. He resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado for one year, and in Cedar Rapids for 76 years.
Leo worked at Wilsons Meatpacking Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for 45 years. He served as the former president of the NAACP and served as a Deacon for 60 years at Mt. Zion Baptist Church also in Cedar Rapids. While serving as a Deacon at Mt. Zion he taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Laymens and Junior Laymens classes and sang in the male chorus. Throughout his life, he mentored many young men in the community. He was active with the Second Chance program which helped ex-offenders transition back into society. He even offered one of his rental properties as a halfway house. Mr. Griggs was also very active in the Baptist State Convention where he was the vice president of the Laymen for many years. He recently received an award for being the oldest active Deacon in the State Convention.
Mr. Griggs is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Griggs Sr. and Gussie Green Griggs; daughter, Sandra Allen; uncles, Charles Griggs and James Griggs Jr.; spouse of 51 years Irene Adella Willis and spouse of 19 years Pearl McCall; brothers, Theodore Griggs Jr., Charles Griggs, and Donald Johnson; sisters, Glendora Griggs, Quinzola Bryant, Leora Roberts, Marie Oden, Mabel Marsh and nephew Donnie Griggs.
He leaves to cherish his memory, a daughter Marsha Griggs Peeler; son-in-law Purvis Peeler of Colorado Springs, a son-in-law Frank Allen Jr. of Des Moines; five grandchildren, Frank Allen III (Ann), Marcus Allen (Rebecca), Gregory Allen, (Kim), Veronica Peeler and Monica Peeler and nine great-grandchildren; a Godson Wendell Beets (Lenora); best friend Henry Leo Dawson and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place in the Summer of 2021 due to COVID-19. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards the family.