Obituary for Beverly Jean (Smith) Griggs

Beverly Jean (Smith) Griggs

Beverly Jean Griggs, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2025, surrounded by her family at the United Presbyterian Home.

Beverly was born June 19, 1937, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence Elder Smith and Vertie Klopfenstein.  She grew up in Mount Pleasant and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1956.  Beverly pursued an Associate of Science degree from Burlington Jr College and then attended Burlington Hospital School of Nursing, graduating from both in 1959.
On February 14, 1961, she married Allen Wayne Griggs.  After the wedding they made their home farming in rural Washington, Iowa.  Together they shared a loving marriage until her passing.  She is survived by husband Allen.  They raised four children, Cherry (Steve) Klein, Donald (Melody) Griggs, Ed (Susan) Griggs, and Faith (John Beckman) Griggs.  Beverly was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - cherishing her eight grandchildren – Ashley (Deepmoy) Ghosh, Cheyenne Griggs, Megan (Jonathan) Wiese, Nolan Griggs (Zoë Antoine), Dayton Griggs (Kelso Messerschmitt), Haley Griggs (fiancée Ryne Larson). Penelope York and Elliot York, and six great-grandchildren – Haddon Wiese, Judah Wiese, Aarav Ghosh, Owen Wiese, Aria Ghosh, and Knox Wiese. 

Beverly dedicated her life to loving her family and caring for her community.  She worked as an RN at Burlington Hospital, Henry County Memorial Hospital, Washington County Hospital, Halcyon House, REM, and Washington County Hospice.  She later worked for Iowa Ag Statistics, Welcome Wagon, Curves, and Planned Parenthood.  She was an “Avon lady” for many years. She was actively involved with her family and church activities as a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher and volunteer for Public Health. She was also a Master Gardner that loved looking at flowers and watching for birds.

Her greatest joys came from simple acts of love – remembering friends’ and family’s days of celebration (all captured on her calendar that hung above the phone), gardening, weaving and attending craft fairs with Allen, and traveling to see her children.  Those who knew her will remember her kindness and compassion. A woman of deep faith, Beverly was a member of The United Methodist Church and The West Chester Community Church.  

A Celebration of Life will take place at a future date.  Online condolences for Beverly’s family may be sent to www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.

In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended in Beverly’s name to Hospice of Washington County https://hospicewc.com/ and the West Chester Community Church https://wc-cc.org/.  The hospice staff provided comfort to Beverly and her family in her final days.