On May 14, 2025, Karen B. Heath Griffin, age 64, peacefully answered the Master's call at Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center, Midlothian, VA following a brief illness.

Karen was born to the late Orlando Heath, Sr., and Dorothea Walton Heath of Petersburg, VA.  She was educated in the Petersburg Public School System and was a graduate of Petersburg High School Class of 1979.  Karen also matriculated at Virginia State University where she majored in Accounting.  She had a love for numbers.

"Bridgette" as her family would affectionately call her, was a beacon of light and had a contagious smile that would light up any room.  Karen was a movie buff, she loved watching all types of movies while eating popcorn and her favorite, Goobers. Karen was a true giver and would help anyone in need.  Karen loved people and people loved her.  She will be sorely missed.

At a young age Karen accepted Christ and was baptized at Bethany Baptist Church and later joined Tabernacle Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA.  She loved her Pastor, Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr. and her entire church family.

Karen's career flourished in retail as a sales consultant which directed her to become Senior Account Manager, Finance Manager, and Store Manager.  She was formally employed with Marshall's Department Store, The Kirby Company; owned and operated by her and her husband, Haynes Department Store and Acceptance Now where she was employed until her passing.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas S. Griffin; her parents, Dorothea and Orlando Heath, Sr., grandparents, Percy and Annie Heath, Estelle and John L. Walton, Sr.; uncles, John L. Walton, Jr., Calvin Walton, Sr., Raymond Williams, William Branch, McKinley Tyler; brother-in-law, Andre Baptiste; and aunts, Shirley Walton Williams, and Jean Walton Branch.

She leaves to cherish her memories, a loving sister, Felicia Heath of Durham, NC; two loving brothers, Orlando Heath, Jr. (Tanya) of Glen Burnie MD, Francois Heath (Karen) of North Dinwiddie; two devoted aunts, Francine Tyler of District Heights, MD, and Marjorie Walton of Petersburg, VA; nieces, Twanda Cox (Derrick), Yolanda Heath, Amethyst Lubeck (Kyle), and Tabitha Goines (Andre); nephews, Lamar Nickens (Kristin), Christian Baptiste (Jolene), and Jon-Pierre Baptiste; devoted cousins, Marvette McKensie (Jerry), and Tegra Branch; cousins, Desiree Branch, Sherelle Williams, Palma Reed, Calvin F. Walton, Jr. (Theresa), Laurice Walton (Audrey), Michael E. Giles (Brandi), Chisa Branch, Jervon Walton, Nikiya Collier (Damonte), and Trae Birdsong (Winta); her best friend, Rev. Allison Bland Tucker of North Dinwiddie, VA and goddaughter, Jaliah Roberts of North Dinwiddie, VA; and her good friend, Richard S. Jones of Richmond, VA; members of Lambda Psi Epsilon Sorority, Lyda B. Jefferson, Wanda W. Hazelwood, Nadine W. Cooper, Sheri C. Hobbs, Vanessa W. Greenwood, Terri H. Williamson, Annette Smith-Lee and Allison Bland Tucker; and a host of faithful family members, co-workers, classmates and friends.

It warms our hearts knowing she now rest in peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ in heaven.

Services will be held 12 Noon, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center, 444 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr., Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

A family and friends visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the funeral establishment.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.