Bennie McGriff Program

I H AVE M Y R EWARD To all my loved ones My family, my friends, The road I have traveled Has come to a end. I started on

This journey one day; The Lord was with me Every step of the way. Some days I'd get tired And so very weak But I thank the Lord

For taking care of me. I fought a good fight I kept the faith I am ready to enter The pearly white gates. As I came To the end of the road. God placed on my shoulders A beautiful white robe. I began to smile And look all around He placed on my head A golden crown.

To all my loved ones everything is all right; My name is written In The Lamb's Book of Life.

Grandpa– Papa John

Grandma Addie

Great Grandma Diana

Grandma Allie & Pop Walter

Grandfather—McKinley Burrell

Weldon

Mama—Lottie

Gloria Maxine

Daddy– Harvest Sr.

Brian King

Helen

Larry

Harvest Jr.

Johnny Wayne

B. Bernard

Bennie Leon McGriff, Sr., cherished and devoted member of his family and community, passed away at his home early Wednesday morning, May 22, 2024, at 3:00 a.m. He was born on September 24, 1949, in Goodlow Park, Texas, to Bishop Harvest D. McGriff, Sr., and Evangelist Lottie D. McGriff, as the fifth child in a family of eleven children. Their parents instilled in them the value of always being a loving and supportive family for one another Bennie was married to Darlene Taylor from 1969 to 1981, and they had three children together: Bennie Leon McGriff, Jr., Johnny Wayne McGriff, and LaShaundra Dion McGriff. In 1984, he married Delano McGraw, who remained his wife until his death. They had four children together: Tina KaTrice McGriff, Tarralyn DeShaune McGriff, Harvest De McGriff, and Debenne Sharde’ McGriff. God was gracious and allowed Bennie and Delano to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this April. Bennie was a family man who provided for his family as a father should. He was there whenever they needed him, offering his help, love, and wisdom. He also loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they loved him dearly as well. After suffering a serious stroke on December 16, 2019, Bennie's indomitable spirit and faith saw him through a remarkable recovery. With the support of his brother Charles, Bennie regained his ability to pray on his knees, as practiced in our church, demonstrating his resilience and unwavering faith. A devoted member of the Church of the Living God, Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Bennie committed his life to the church at the tender age of six, learning and sharing its unwavering doctrine. He remained a faithful member until his passing. Bennie, along with other church members, built the original church at 1718 E. Overton Road. After the church burned in the early 1990s, Bennie, along with others, played an integral role in its rebuilding and remodeling. Bennie began his education in an inconceivable manner compared to any of his siblings. Bennie's parents were eager for him to start school and did not want a few days to prevent him from attending first grade due to his birthdate. At that time, children born after September 1st were not allowed to attend public school. To bypass this, his parents enrolled Bennie in the nearest school that accepted early admissions, St. Michael, Heart of Mary Catholic School. Bennie often told funny stories about the nuns hitting his hands with a ruler. We wonder why! There, he completed first and second grade. After attending Catholic school, he attended 3rd grade through high school at Melissa M. Pierce Elementary/High School in the community of Joppa, Dallas, Texas, in the Wilmer Hutchins Independent School District (WHISD). There, he had many friends he grew to love. Once John F. Kennedy High School was built in the WHISD, he attended and graduated in 1967, where he met even more wonderful people. After high school, Bennie completed his education at Academy Barber College, where he became a licensed barber and kept that certification until his death. While Bennie worked as a barber, he also worked at various neighborhood jobs, one being a taxicab driver. Later, he became a full-time employee at Union Pacific Railroad. After a few years of dedicated service, he worked himself up to the position of foreman, with several men under his leadership. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad when he was 54 years old. During Bennie’s tenure at Union Pacific Railroad, he also gained business and investment knowledge from his father. A quick learner, Bennie became an entrepreneur, owning various businesses throughout his lifetime. With the Lord's guidance, he and his father invested in multiple rental properties. Bennie owned two “McGriff’s Furniture Stores,” one on Marsalis Ave. and another on Lancaster Road. Additionally, he owned “Bennie’s Automotive Repair Shop and Car Lot” on Lancaster Road, “McGriff’s Beer and Wine Store” on Marsalis Ave., and two beauty and barber shops located on Lancaster Road and Marsalis Ave., all in Dallas, Texas. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Bennie returned to his birthplace of Goodlow Park, Texas. There he built and yet owns several rental properties, as well as “Goodlow Liquor, Beer & Wine and Convenience” store. Despite the prevailing prejudices in Goodlow, he ran for the office of Mayor. Needless to say, he did not win the position. A short distance from Goodlow Park, he ventured into Kerens, Texas, where he owns, “Bennie’s Auto Sales,” “Mac’s Motel,” “Mac’s Diner,” and “Mac’s Washeteria/Laundromat.” Additionally, wanting to help the less fortunate, he purchased a large home in Kerens that housed foster children. Bennie was Life Reflections of B ENNIE L EON M C G RIFF S R .

featured in “The Kerens Tribune,” Vol. 114 No. 8, on February 23, 2006, as being the first owner of a motel in Kerens, Texas. Simultaneously, not too far from Kerens, he branched out into Corsicana, Texas. There he also purchased additional rental properties and owned a second “Mac’s Beer & Wine and Convenience” store. As a loving individual, Bennie seldom missed an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and special days of his family, friends, and church. He loved people and had a big heart helping all whom he could. Bennie exhibited a great love for church and family. He rarely missed a Church service or its events. Even up to his final days, he attended the Church’s Annual Yard Sale that Saturday (which he said was fun) and Church Worship Service on Sunday before his passing. He did not want to miss anything and never let his strokes discourage or slow him down. He was always on the move. He kept himself moving and driving, which strengthened and sharpened his mind and mobility. He cherished life, remaining realistic about the number of days the Lord promised. Up until the very end, he enjoyed the many blessings that the Lord afforded him. Bennie was an unselfish person and was loved and respected by many outside of his family as well. As a young man, Bennie and his friends were avid baseball players. They successfully played against many leagues. He was also a car enthusiast and purchased every type he thought he wanted. He particularly loved fast cars. As teenagers, he and his brothers often engaged in drag racing on their community streets and highways, despite their parents’ objections. Their father loved cars too. He introduced his sons to many different car types, and they could name every car that passed their home, on the streets and highways, and as they drove. It became a game with Bennie and his siblings to see who could name the most. Like father, Bennie loved car racetracks, which his father often took him and his brothers. They often entered several races, viewing it as a safer place to show off their driving skills. When Bennie and his brothers got older, they created the “#McGriffRacingTeam,” which included their sons, family, and friends. Bennie has accomplished and done so much, that it fully cannot be enumerated in this structured format. In short, Bennie believed in the omnipotence of the Lord. He talked to Him often and never gave up hope. He survived open heart surgery when he was 51 years old and survived the insertion of many stint operations (about 12) and a pacemaker. He was scheduled for a heart procedure days before his demise, but only God knew the date he had set for Bennie to come back home to Him. Bennie understanding that the Lord only promised mankind a lifespan of “three score years and 10, and with reasonable strength longer.” Thus, Bennie prepared for this day by striving to live the life that God would have him live. He also made funeral requests of his immediate family and told his siblings not to

rush him to the grave on this day. So, Charles and family promised to meet his funeral requests for “whenever” this day would come. He told his sister Gaylon that he wanted a lot of songs between his Wake and Funeral, and just last year he asked his sister Addie to write his obituary. Therefore, his family, alongside his remaining three siblings, has tried to fulfill his requests. Bennie knew, as the Bible states, “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:14-16), speaking of Heaven and the New Earth (Rev. 21:1-2; 2 Peter 3:13). Bennie recently was preceded in death by his father, Bishop Harvest D. McGriff, Sr. (2005); his mother, Evangelist Lottie D. McGriff (2003); his maternal grandmother, Allie Walton (1999); five brothers: Harvest Duncan McGriff, Jr., (1991), Johnny Wayne McGriff (1999), Bishop Larry Darnell McGriff (2010), B. Bernard McGriff (2012), Weldon L. McGriff (2023); and two sisters Dr. Helen L. Hawkins [husband, David] (2010), Gloria Maxine Robertson [husband, Curtis] (2016), and last but not least his son, Brian King (1996). Bennie is survived by his devoted wife, Delano Sue McGriff; his children: Tina McGriff, Tarralyn Mitchell (husband, Theria), Harvest De McGriff, Debenne McCoy (husband, D’Angelo), Bennie Leon McGriff, Jr., LaShaundra McGriff, Johnny McGriff (wife, Cynetria), Broscy Howard (wife, Shaniqur); his siblings: one brother, Charles E. McGriff; two sisters, Dr. Addie Y. V. Hare (husband, Samuel), Gaylon D. Gowans (husband, Ricardo); 23 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; a goddaughter, Carrin “Shugg” Owens; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

“Leon”, Bennie, Daddy, Daddy Bennie, as you wave goodbye, know that you will forever be loved and missed!!!

Saturday, June 1, 2024|12:00 Noon C HRUCH OF THE L IVING G OD , P ILLAR AND G ROUND OF THE T RUTH

1718 E. Overton Rd.—Dallas, Texas 75216 Elder Cameron McGriff Burley, Pastor Bro. Charles McGriff, Officiant

P ROCESSIONAL (P LEASE S TAND ) …………………….…………………………………………..………..Soft Music

S ONG ………………………………………………………………....…………………………....Rev. K. D. Hicks

S CRIPTURE R EADINGS : Old Testament……………………………….………………………………………….Rev. K. D. Hicks New Testament…………………………...………………….….Minister LaShaundra Dion McGriff

P RAYER …………………………………………….………………………................Evangelist Irma Anderson

S ONG ………………………...… “Let Go and Let God”….………..….Elder Rico and Gaylon Gowans

C HURCH R ESOLUTION ……………………..….…………………………….……….…..Dr. Addie McGriff Hare (All Other Resolutions Please Pass to Dr. Hare for the Family’s Archives)

S ONG ………………….………….. “Be Encouraged” …………...…….Elder Rico and Gaylon Gowans

S PECIAL R EMARKS ……………………………………………..………………………...Bennie Leon McGriff Jr.

S PECIAL S LIDE P RESENTATION ……………………….………….….………….. ..Robert L. Howard III, Nephew

S ONG …………..…”Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, God is in Control”….…..… Elder Rico and Gaylon Gowans

E ULOGY ……………………………………………………………..….………... ….……Elder Cameron Burley

C ROWNING C EREMONY ………………..….”I’m Free”………………..…. Elder Rico and Gaylon Gowans

F AREWELLS /T HE F INAL G LIMPSE …………..……………………..………….... Golden Gate Funeral Directors

R ECESSIONAL …………………………………………………………………………….….The Funeral Cortege “Going Up Yonder” by Elder Rico and Gaylon Gowans

A M ESSAGE TO M Y H USBAND I said a prayer for you today, the way I often do, I asked the Lord to fill your day with joys

and blessing, too, I asked Him to be close to you and hear you when you call and give you life's dearest gifts, for you deserve them all!

A F ATHER A Father is a very special person A man with a mind A man with a voice A man with a heart A man with a helping hand A loving caring father that left a great Impact on life and his family. We all miss you daddy and Love You

G OD S AW Y OU God saw you were getting tired, And a cure was not to be, He put His arms around you And Whispered, " Come with Me." With tearful eyes we watched you suffer And saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands were put to rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us. He only Takes the Best.

Daddy Bennie, because we are small, this dying isn't so happy. We are too small to understand why you left us so soon, but they explained to us that you went to heaven and we will see you again one day. The tears slowly disappeared because we think back on the times we shared together and it's a sure delight.

Perhaps you dropped by to say hello or called on the phone. Maybe you visited us for a while to keep us from being alone. You may have prepared some delicious dish. Possibly you did not come at all but remembered us in prayer. Whatever kindness you extended is accepted with sincere gratitude and thanks that is everlasting.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DEACON BOARD AND SIS. MAURA WEIKEL

May God continue to bestow his blessings upon each of you. - The McGri Family -

A CTIVE P ALLBEARERS Charles D. Crowell Leon Ricks Howard Cory D. Crowell. Gregory McGriff Michael W. Harris, Jr. Jeffrey Moore Jordan McGriff H ONORARY P ALLBEARERS Bennie Leon McGriff, Jr. Johnny Wayne McGriff Harvest D. McGriff Markise “Blake” McGriff Tyson McGriff D’Angelo McCoy, Sr. Da’Narion McCoy D’Angelo McCoy, Jr. Robert Howard, III Copley Evans, Jr. Elder Cameron Burley Charles E. McGriff

Cedric Crowell, Jr. Eric Jackson Curtis Sayles Elder Rico Gowans Mark Moore Samuel Hare Ocie “Rudy” Williams Willie D. Smith James Rhymes Carlos Jackson Michael “Fresh” Summons Rashad Hurd Rashad Harrington Donald Jemol Harrington Draylin McGriff Ira McGraw

Repast will be held at the Church after the graveside burial. F INAL R ESTING P LACE Laurel Land Cemetery Dallas, Texas

—F INAL A RRANGEMENTS E NTRUSTED TO — John E. Beckwith, Jr. CEO & Owner Dallas, Texas (214) 941-7332 Fort Worth, Texas (817) 478-9555 Tallulah, Louisiana (318) 574-6100