A Tribute to Joyce Griffith

Many of you will remember the Sabbath School Net “Discussion Starters” produced by Joyce Griffith. I was saddened to learn that Joyce passed away yesterday. Joyce had worked for various church departments, including the Voice of Prophecy. She had also been a missionary to Africa for about 5 years.

I never met Joyce in person. We become good friends through our work on Sabbath School Net. During her retirement, she wrote her Discussion Starters each week and I was given the task of checking and publishing them. She was a good editor and I don’t think I ever had to correct anything she had written. As time went on, she could no longer manage the internet editing facilities but would email her notes to me. I have just checked and found that over the last 4 years we exchanged over 1200 emails. Mostly they were her Discussion Starters, but always they included chats and little interludes about her personal life.

Sadly in 2020, I recognised that Joyce’s health was failing and she was becoming confused. She had an accident and broke her hip and could no longer use her computer. Her brother Dave used to ferry messages between us for a while, but she eventually had to be put into a care facility.

Joyce had a very perceptive mind and never took the status quo for granted. We often exchanged notes about the SSNET discussion and ways to challenge our readers’ thinking.

Joyce had a strong faith and I am sure that we will meet again in heaven and be able to continue our discussions face to face.

Thank you Joyce for your friendship and contribution to SSNET over the years. I miss you not only as a contributor but as a friend.

Joyce wrote a small book about her experiences in the mission school in Africa. It is available from Amazon:
Memories from Rusangu Secondary School Zambia

Amen!