Carolyn Griffis Lusk, 83
February 1, 1943 – July 8, 2026
MEMPHIS / TUPELO – Mrs. Carolyn Gayle “Carole” Griffis Lusk, age 83, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Methodist Hospital, Germantown, Tennessee. She was born February 1, 1943 in North Littlerock, Arkansas to Leland Griffis and Emma Jean Sorrells Griffis. Carolyn married the love of her life, Richard Lusk, on August 20, 1961. Richard’s career gave them the opportunity to live in various parts of the United States and she was a devoted mother and wife. While they lived in New York, Carolyn went back to nursing school and obtained her LPN in 1984. She practiced for a few years before returning to Memphis, TN to help care for her dad. She was a member of TPC Southwind Ladies Golf Club for 33 years and played golf and volunteered in various capacities to include helping to organize and assist with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital annual golf event. She was known for her giving heart and being a “yes” person.
Carole and Richard played golf throughout the country with many friends. She was the oldest member of a friend group called ”Sip & Swings”. They loved to travel especially to the beaches. They lived in Memphis / Germantown area for 39 years. She was a member of Whitehaven Baptist Church. Carole loved her grandchildren who affectionately called her “MeMe”. She considered them – and her 65-year marriage to Richard – her greatest accomplishments.
A celebration of life service will be at 2 PM, Sunday, July 12, 2026, in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel with close friend, Trey Wilemon, officiating. Private burial will follow in the family plot at Priceville Cemetery on Feemster Lake Road in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 12 PM noon to service time Sunday. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.
Survivors include her loving husband, Richard Lusk of Memphis/Tupelo; her two children, Alan Lusk of Memphis, TN and Karen Harness and her husband Rob of Tupelo; 4 grandchildren, Justin Harness (Lexi), Katie Mills (Clark), Chad Lusk (Callie), and Brandon Lusk. She was so excited to meet her first great-granddaughter, Collins Lusk, who will be born in the next few weeks. She also leaves behind her loyal fur baby, Lillie. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Emma Jean Griffis; 3 brothers, Johnny Griffis, Sr. of Sardis, MS, Richard Griffis of Shreveport, LA, and Mark Griffis, Sr. of Sardis, MS, and grandson, Parker Andrew Harness of Tupelo.
Pallbearers will be Alan Lusk, Chad Lusk, Brandon Lusk, Rob Harness, Justin Harness, Clark Mills, Mark Griffis, Jr., and Johnny Griffis, Jr.
Memorials in memory of Carolyn Lusk may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38501. Condolences to the family may be left on her memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com. Those who cannot attend the service may view online at 2 PM, Sunday or anytime thereafter at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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