Carmella DeCarlo Griggs, 93, of Holden, Missouri, died Sunday, Dec. 13, at Oak Grove Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Oak Grove, Missouri.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Father Pete Savidge of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Richard Griggs, Mike Russell, Blake Russell, Steve Griggs, Mark Fitch and Rick Griggs. Honorary Pallbearer will be Kenneth Griggs.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel.

Carmella was born March 13, 1922, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the daughter of Nicolo and Antoinette (Enzonio) Decarlo. She moved to New York where she was employed at a candy factory. During this time, she met her future husband, Charles Richard Griggs Sr., who was serving in the United States Navy during that time. The couple was united in marriage on Aug. 23, 1942, in New York. In 1950, the couple moved to Holden. Carmella owned and operated T&G Drapery & Upholstery for many years. They eventually moved to Osceola where they owned and operated Grigg’s Café. The couple eventually returned to Holden. Carmella was a lifetime member of Holden VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was also an avid card player.

Survivors include three daughters, Rita Warren, and husband, Keith, of Porter, Texas; Eileen O’Dell, of Shawnee, Oklahoma; and Kathleen Miller, of Shawnee; two sons, Richard Griggs, and wife, Carol, of Bates City, Missouri; and Kenneth Griggs and wife, Esta, of Salem, Virginia; sister, Eleanor Ferullo, and husband, Ed, of Orlando, Florida; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in December 2014; four brothers and four sisters.

 

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.