Millicent Beatrice Griffith

Millicent Beatrice Griffith was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 8, 1928 to (the late) Lena Eudora Bethel Griffith and Phillip Claudius Griffith.  The family moved to the Bronx where Millicent attended P.S. 61, J.H.S. 168 and Walton High School.  After graduation, the family returned to Brooklyn where she continued her formal education always looking to gain more knowledge.

Her first and only position out of school was at the Amalgamated Service and Allied Industries Joint Board where she worked forty-five years until her retirement in 1990 as an Executive Secretary to the Vice President, General Manager and Secretary Treasurer of the Joint Board.

In 1954, she married (the late) Leslie K. Braithwaite. Out of that union, two daughters were born:  Deborah and Dolores.

“Millie G” or Aunt Millicent as she was lovingly known was a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn for over fifty years.  A “friend” of music, she gave unselfishly to various ministries in the church.  She never said no to a good cause.

An active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, she marched with Dr. King for justice, equality and integration during the 1950s and 1960s.  She spoke often about her experiences during that time.  What stood out most for her was pushing for the integration of the Woolworth lunch counters and the importance of speaking out and speaking up.

Those characteristics remained with her throughout her life.  She always spoke her mind and told you the truth.  She had an uncanny ability to recognize people who were being forthcoming and those who were not, and she was always right.  It was a sixth sense she had and we all depended on that sixth sense.

She taught her daughters and granddaughter to have inner strength, self-respect and to stand up for what is right.

She was fortunate to meet with President Jimmy Carter and his wife Roslyn at The White House to continue discussions regarding civil rights, and was a lifelong member of the NAACP.

After her retirement in 1991, she traveled extensively, shopped (Macy’s was her best friend), donated to various charities, and always continued learning.  Her last skill learned was how to use facetime and Zoom with those she loved (at age 91!).

Leaving to mourn are her two daughters: Deborah and Dolores; her granddaughter Allison; her sister Marie (Irving); her niece Laura; her nephew Marc (Mecole); great-nephews: Ian and Evan; and many other family members, her church family, and friends.

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