Jenelle Colene Griggs

Jenelle “Colene” (Smith) Griggs, lovingly known as Colene and Meme, age 78, of Golden City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in her home, surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Colene was born January 30, 1947, in Carthage, Missouri, to Loren Dean Smith and Lavelle Chloe (Roy) Smith. She graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City, Missouri, with the class of 1965. On April 18, 1998, she was united in marriage to Raymond John Griggs in Kansas City, Missouri.

Colene lived a life deeply rooted in faith, family, and unconditional love. She was a woman who never believed in closed doors — her home and her heart were always open. Anyone who crossed her path was welcomed with warmth, compassion, and the kind of love that made people feel they truly belonged.

She was loving, feisty, funny, strong, and gentle. Colene had a servant’s heart and a joyful spirit. She was known for her cooking, gardening, crafting, crocheting, painting yard décor, storytelling, and her deep love for animals. Many were blessed by the blankets, gifts, and handmade treasures she created — each stitch a reflection of the care she poured into others.

Colene was actively involved in her church, where her faith shined through her actions. She lived by God’s word and believed in prayer, kindness, forgiveness, and loving others as Christ loves — fully and without condition. Her faith was not just something she spoke about; it was something she lived every day.

She dedicated 27 years of faithful service to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri — a career she took great pride in and approached with integrity and hard work. Outside of work, she found joy cheering on the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs, celebrating victories with the same enthusiasm she brought to family gatherings and everyday moments.

Family was Colene’s greatest treasure. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many people she considered family simply because they needed love.

She is survived by two sons, Michael Burec (Lisa Lairmore) of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Tracey Burec of Independence, Missouri; four daughters, Helen Burec of Harrisonville, Missouri, Tammie (Rob) Cox of Gardner, Kansas, Catherine (Rick) Jurgensen of Grandview, Missouri, and Cynthia Griggs (Gregory Tindle) of Overland Park, Kansas; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ardeena Conway of Kansas City, Missouri.

Colene was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Raymond Griggs, and her parents.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Lockwood Methodist Church, with burial to follow in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Golden City, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carthage Humane Society or the Wounded Warrior Project, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Though our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing Colene is now at peace in the presence of her Lord, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Her love, faith, and light will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.