Barbara Jerene Griggs Donaldson

June 27, 1926 - September 6, 2016

Barbara was born in Medford, OR to Cecil and Helen (Pierce) Culbertson. She grew up and worked on the dairy farm her parents owned. She was involved in 4-H and won many awards for her projects. She had many animals during her childhood, one of her favorites being her horse, Smoky. Barbara was an only child, but cousins Maurice “Mike” Pierce and Ken Bratney were like brothers to her. After graduating from Medford High School, she spent one year at University of Oregon and then moved to Portland, where she met Milton Griggs at a YMCA dance. They were married and had three children. She worked many different jobs in the Portland area, most notably a long stint at Pierce Freight Lines, which was owned by her uncle, Archie Pierce. Barbara enjoyed listening to and playing music, especially the old hymns. She played both the organ and keyboard. In 1979, she married Shane Donaldson. They lived in Oregon, California and Washington before moving in the early 90’s to Ohio, Shane’s home state. After Shane’s death in 2013, Barbara moved back to Oregon where she spent her final 3 years close to her family. A memorial service will be held at Hillside Chapel on Friday, September 16th at 11:00am. She is survived by sons Larry Griggs (Laurel) of Oregon City and Tom Griggs (Janice) of Clackamas; Stepsons Larry Donaldson (Debbie) and Bill Donaldson (Chris), both from Ohio, and Fred Donaldson (Marsha) of Palm Springs, CA; grandchildren Bryan Griggs (Tricia), Jeff Griggs (Jen), Darla Rowton (Kyle), Andrew Griggs, Noah Griggs and Rachel Griggs; great-grandchildren Kellen Griggs, Noelle Rowton, Hadlie Rowton, Oliver Griggs, Elsie Griggs and Stella Griggs, as well as many step–grandchildren in Ohio and Palm Springs, CA. Barbara is preceded in death by her daughter, Joann Griggs. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate).