Griner, LaFon Edwards
LaFon Edwards Griner was born August 20, 1926 in Wayne County, Tennessee, to the union of the late John Fletcher and Nora Ida Hickerson Edwards. At the age of sixteen, after having dated for three months, she left for Corinth, Mississippi to be united in marriage to James Pickard Griner on November 21, 1942. These two would become the proud parents of two children, Jimmy and Lisa. Mrs. LaFon and Mr. Pickard would remain devoted to one another for seventy-three and a half years until his passing on May 31, 2016.
While her children were growing up, she had the great honor of staying home and caring for her children. Early in her children’s life, Saturdays were often spent with country music on the television with artists such as Porter Wagoner, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Wilburn Brothers. After they had left home, she began her career at Walmart in 1987. Most will remember being greeted by her kind smile as they came in the door. While working, she would make a cake almost every Friday for her coworkers to enjoy. She retired from Walmart after 29 years of service in 2016.
She will be remembered for her love to go shopping, especially for clothes or to find a good sale. Over the years, many of the items she would buy on sale, she would not have a need for, so she would find joy in giving those things to others. Mrs. LaFon loved to listen to Elvis. She was able to see him in concert and even had the opportunity to visit Graceland. If you knew her very well, you knew at 6:30 of an evening, the TV would be changed to channel 2 as she was a faithful watcher of Wheel of Fortune. One of her greatest pleasures in this life was spending time with her family. She was a faithful Christian that demonstrated her love for God in her everyday life. The Hohenwald Church of Christ and Lomax Church of Christ have both been very near and dear to her heart. Mrs. LaFon departed this life for her eternal reward on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Hohenwald making her walk in this life some 99 years and 24 days.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Jimmy Griner; Lisa McPherson and husband David; three grandchildren, Jacy Choate and husband Jeremy; Jonathan McPherson and wife Tori; Tristan McPherson; she is also survived by 4 great grandchildren, Bailey White, Taylor McPherson, Matthew McPherson, Eli McPherson as well as several nieces, nephews and many loving friends.
In addition to her parents and husband she is preceded in death by three sisters, Goldie Hardin; Ilio Miller; Jewell Schunutz; and four brothers, Cleantha Edwards, Ivan Edwards, Ivio Edwards and John F. Edwards Jr.
Visitation with the Griner family will be on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the Hohenwald Church of Christ.
Funeral services will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Hohenwald Church of Christ with Rick Jones, Jerry Durham and Joe Griner officiating. Steve Skelton will be leading singing. Burial will follow in the Downey Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearer will include, Jeremy Choate, Jonathan McPherson, Tristan McPherson, John Edwards, Scottie Duncan, and Gabby Spears.
If you should chose to do so, many will wear pink, Mrs. LaFon’s favorite color, to celebrate her 99 wonderful years of life.
Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation is honored to serve the Griner Family.
