Zoe McGovern Griffing, age 87, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2015 at her residence.

Zoe was born March 1, 1928, the youngest of four children to an attorney father, and a housewife mother. She grew up during the great depression in the 8th ward section of New Orleans. She graduated from Tulane in 1951 with a degree in education and taught in public schools for six years, including a couple years at Milne Boys Home where Louis Armstrong had graduated from. Zoe married Dr. Joseph Griffing in 1955 and moved to Picayune in 1961 where she raised her two sons, Craig and Ward. In the early 1960’s she started the first women’s golf tournament at Millbrook Country Club.

In the late 1960’s she became one of the first female property managers in Picayune, and in the early 1970’s she personally raised the money to build the Pearl River County Animal Shelter. Zoe worked as a landlady until her death. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph Griffing, her two sons, Mr. Craig Griffing, Property Manager in New Orleans, and Dr. Ward Griffing, a local dentist, her daughter-in-law, Beverley, and her two granddaughters, Cadence and Makenzie.

Services were held Monday, March 16, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Picayune Funeral Home Chapel with Father John Noone officiating. Entombment was at Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Mausoleum.

Arrangements are under the direction of Picayune Funeral Home. Please visit our website for the obituary. You can leave an online condolence or share photos and memories at www.picayunefuneral.com.