Joanna (“Jo”) Grace Griffith (nee Atkins) was born on May 24, 1939, in Stanton County Nebraska to Walter “Cecile” Atkins and Floyd Steinbaugh Atkins. Her family moved to Schuyler, Nebraska when she was in the fifth grade, and she graduated from Schuyler High School in 1956. She went on to attend Lincoln General School of Nursing and graduated in 1959. On August 27, 1966, she married Bill Griffith, and they made their home on Bill’s family farm south of Cozad. They welcomed two children into the family, son Matthew in 1968 and daughter Suzanne in 1969, and the four of them were a close-knit, loving, and hardworking family.
Jo worked at Cozad Hospital for many years, and served as the Director of Nursing. In that capacity, she did anything and everything from helping laboring mothers bring their newborns into this world, to providing love and comfort to all who needed it. She supervised nurses in training and helped in their words, to “make them good nurses,” and she was loved and respected by colleagues and patients alike. In addition to her nursing career, Jo was indispensable on the family farm, doing anything that needed to be done. She windrowed alfalfa, vaccinated livestock, and walked the pens to identify sick animals that were in need of treatment.
Jo was a woman of strong faith, active in both the Methodist and Presbyterian churches here in Cozad. She served on committees, participated in women’s groups, and volunteered for the annual Harvest Luncheon and Country Store. She was active in a neighborhood club, a well-loved friend, and a gentle soul who always had a smile on her face.
Jo is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bill Griffith of Cozad; son Matthew (Rene) Griffith of Orlando Florida; daughter Suzanne Griffith (Bryan Bell) of Lincoln; granddaughter, Jillian; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and former patients and co-workers, all of whom will miss her dearly. She is predeceased by her parents, grandparents, siblings, and many friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or First Presbyterian Church of Cozad. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Cozad with Reverend Jill Boyd officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date. Berryman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.