Martha Claire Griffin

Compassionate caregiver, animal lover and amazing friend, Martha Claire Griffin, of Liberty, NC, passed away June 9, 2025 at the UNC Chapel Hill Hospitals, where she also worked as a NICU nurse. She was 34.

Martha’s family and friends describe her as brave, spicy, exuberant, sassy, strong and determined. She was unapologetically herself. She was born in High Point, NC, on December 1, 1990. She was a graduate of Thomasville High School; through the early college program, she earned her CNA which she utilized to attend UNC-Wilmington, graduating with a studio art degree. She went on to study nursing at Guilford Technical Community College where she received an associate’s degree in nursing. She was one class away from receiving her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from UNC-Wilmington.

Martha is survived by her loving husband Andrew Oakley, confessing at their wedding that she loved him in the fourth grade. She was passionate about caring for their dogs Zeus, Tacoa and Maverick, as well as her cats, Jeffrey, Zoey and Greg. Called the animal whisperer by some, Martha loved all animals and was able to make even the grumpiest cats and dogs melt in her arms.  Her care and understanding of the elderly were evident not only in her CNA work, but also in her relationships with her grandparents.

Martha was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Edward and Carolyn Landrus, and paternal grandfather, Walter K. Griffin Sr.  She is also survived by her parents, Toby and Kathryn Griffin of Thomasville, sister, Mallory Griffin of High Point, her Gram, Lorraine Griffin of Colfax, her Aunt Rhoda and Uncle Bruce Schaffer of Newport News, Virginia, her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Roy Hollar of Greensboro, and her Aunt Lori and Uncle Andy Lee of Springfield, Virginia, as well as cousins, Leah, Ben, Noah, Sam, Gabe and Jacob.  Her second mama, Kimberly Myers of High Point and family (David, Caroline, Koty and Candace) share this loss, as well as her extended family through her marriage to Andrew—mother-in-law, Lori Oakley, brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Jennifer Oakley (niece Laila and nephew Silas), and sister-in-law, Abigail Oakley, all of Thomasville.

Martha left this world a phenomenal gift, her daughter Harper Claire Oakley, born June 6. Her legacy of determination, friendship, confidence, sincerity, sarcasm and beauty will live on through this precious little girl.

Through organ donation, Martha was able to continue her belief in the importance of helping others, saving three lives. The family would like to thank the critical care unit at Chapel Hill Hospitals for their care and guidance during this process.

A service and celebration of Martha will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church, 222 Mt. Zion Church Rd, Thomasville, NC 27360.  The family will greet friends immediately following the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or an animal rescue of your choice.  Online condolences may be sent to www.jcgreenandsons.com.

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