Mary Jane Ragsdale Griffin

Background

Griffin, Mary Jane Ragsdale was born on August 15, 1927 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, United States. Daughter of Ira Vincent and Sophronia Burdetti (Thompson) Ragsdale.

Education

Bachelor of Science, University Tennessee, 1949. Master of Science, University Tennessee, 1970. Doctoral student (honorary), University Tennessee, 1975.

Educational Specialist, University Tennessee, 1976. Doctor of Education, University Tennessee, 1980.

Career

Instructor physics laboratory, pianist, accompanist modern dance class University Chattanooga (Tennessee), 1945-1947. Private teacher piano and violin Knoxville, Tennessee, 1947-1950. Honorary captain airforce cadet, military sponsor Committee I University Tennessee, 1948-1949.

Assistant director Sunshine Schoolette, 1954-1969. Teacher science and mathematics Knox County Schools, 1970-1974. Teacher mathematics methods University Tennessee, 1975-1976.

Teacher mathematics and computer programming Knox County Schools, 1977-1988. Freelance writer, since 1970. Real estate investor and manager, since 1975.

Owner, president MJRG Enterprises, since 1976. Freelance education consultant, since 1988. Student assistant physics department head University Chattanoga, 1945-1947.

Assistant treasurer, historian, music chairman University Chattanooga, 1946-1947. Orientation leader University Tennessee, 1948. Graduate assistant University Tennessee, Knoxville, 1975-1976.

Achievements

• Certified mathematics, science, physics, chemistry, computer programming, elementary teacher, secondary and elementary administrator, Tennessee.

Membership

Violinist Chattanooga Symphony, 1944-1947. Officer board directors Ossoli Circle, Knoxville, 1954-1964, 89-90. Poetry contest chairman Fontinalis, 1993-1996, fine arts chair, 1995-1996.

Officer, board directors Girls Club Knoxville, Inc., 1962-1970, charter signer, 1962. Member Fountain City Town Hall, since 1985, Knoxville Symphony League, since 1990. Teacher adult Sunday school, 1988-1992.

Member chancel choir 1st Christian Church, Knoxville, 1949-1985, board directors, 1982-1985. Member chancel choir Fountain City United Methodist Church, Knoxville, 1985-1991, board directors, 1993-1997, certified 50 year member. President United Methodist Women, 1993-1997, vice president Knoxville District, 1996-1998.

Member steering committee Just Older Youth, Fountain City, Tennessee, since 1998. Member National Education Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Association of University Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Council Teachers of Mathematics (life), Tennessee Education Association (workshop presenter 1980-1988), East Tennessee Education Association, Knox County Education Association (representative 1980-1985), East Tennessee History Society (life), Indiana History Society (life), Kentucky History Society (life), Virginia History Society, Montgomery County (Indiana) History Society, Boone County (Indiana) History Society, Union County (Tennessee) History Society, General Federation Womens Clubs, Tennessee Federation Womens Clubs, Appalachian Zoological Society (life), Society for Preservation Tennessee Antiquities (life), National Corvette Museum, First Families of Tennessee, University Tennessee President's Club (life), Smoky Mountain Z-Car Club, Optimists (life, local board directors 1990-1992, Tennessee district essay contest chairman 1990-1991, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, Tennessee district 1st lady 1990-1991), Sigma Phi Sigma (life, chapter president University Chattanooga 1945-1947), National Corvette Museum, Delta Kappa Gamma (finance committee 1980-1991), Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Delta Pi (international voting delegate 1982, 84, 86, conference presenter 1982), Kappa Delta (life), Women's Athletic Association University Chattanoga, Coed Colillion University Chattanoga, Home Economics Club University Tennessee, Women's Student Government Association University Tennessee.

Interests

• Avocations: nature walks and study, travel, photography, reading, public speaking.

Connections

Married Walter Wanzel Griffin, January 20, 1951. Children: Walter Vincent, Glenn Edwin, Edwin Wanzel.

Father:

Ira Vincent Ragsdale

Mother:

Sophronia Burdetti (Thompson) Ragsdale

Spouse:

Walter Wanzel Griffin

child:

Glenn Edwin Griffin

child:

Edwin Wanzel Griffin

child:

Walter Vincent Griffin