Barbara Jo (BJ) Griffis

Barbara Jo (BJ) Griffis, age 77, of Fayetteville, passed away Friday November 2, 2018 in Springdale. She was born September 17, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Arnold M. Norman Sr. and Ann C. (Gibson) Norman. Barbara Jo attended Little Rock Central High School, and graduated from Baptist High School during the "lost year" after Orval Faubus closed Little Rock's public high schools. She loved music and played vibraphone in her father's jazz band, "The Norman Quintet". She studied nursing for 2 years at the University of Arkansas, and made her love of portrait painting her career. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Lewis Griffis, and her brother, Wendell Willis. She is survived by three daughters: Pepper Lynn Smith and husband James N. of Farmington, Arkansas; Kelly Marie Griffis and husband Lindsey Brown of Rogers, Arkansas; Melodie Alison Griffis of Fayetteville, Arkansas; one son, Lewis Adrian Griffis of Raymore, Missouri; two brothers: Arnold (Arnie) M. Norman Jr. and his wife Marisha of Idaho; Pat Norman Sr. of Little Rock, Arkansas; and 5 grandchildren: Ian Alexander Smith of Prairie Grove; Olivia Rene Griffis of Rogers; Corbin Lewis Griffis of Raymore, Missouri; Tamara Bradshaw of Kansas City, Missouri, and Natalie Bradshaw of Salt Lake City, Utah. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Memorial contributions may be made to "International Child Art Foundation: ICAF, P.O. Box 58133, Washington, D.C., 20037. To place an online tribute visit www.nelsonberna.com.