Eleanor F. “Ellie” Griffin, 88, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, Aug. 20,
2012, at her residence.

She was born March 23, 1924, in Geneva, Ala., to the late William F. and Annie Flora (Trant) Wise. She moved from Geneva to Frostproof in 1929 and came to Lake Wales in 1991.

She was retired from Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., and was a member of the Union Congregational Church of Avon Park. She was a Children’s Home Society volunteer for 20 years for Polk County and the state of Florida, having served as chairman of the executive advisory council. She also served several other children’s charity organizations.

Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., in 1990.

Survivors include her daughter, Julie Griffin Chapman of Sebring; brothers, William F. “Buddy” Wise of Bartow and Bill Wise of Lakeland; sister, Elizabeth Swenson of Frostproof; two grandchildren, Michelle Chapman of Sebring and Sabrina Chapman of Sebring; and three great-grandchildren, J.D. Cunningham, Griffin Cunningham and Trip Oakley.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24,
at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Frostproof.

Interment will follow at the Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Children’s Home Society, 1485 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1448, Winter Park, FL 32792.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.