Ellaree Griffin Barashes, 84, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2024, finding comfort with the Lord after a long, hard battle with Alzheimer’s.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Mable Buela Gilder, stepfather Albert Gilder, father Romeo Price, and her brothers, Donald Wayne Price, Harold Dink Price, and Donnie Gilder. Ellaree was also preceded by the fathers of her children, Donald Eugene Griffin and Eugene Barashes, her two children, Donald Stevie Griffin and Susan Renee Hurst, her stepsons Scott Barashes and Michael Barashes, and her niece Casey Marie Tapley.
She is survived by her sons Carey Griffin, Dale Barashes and daughter Shelli (Darrell) Denmark. Grandchildren Jessica (Matt) Rebstock, Joshua (Sarah) Tapley, Allen (Nicole) Rouse and many great grandchildren and great nieces and great nephews.
Born on August 13, 1939, in Avondale, North Carolina, she moved to Jacksonville at the age of 14 and fell in love with the beaches. There, she met the love of her life, “Donnie Griffin,” with whom she had four children: Stevie, Susan, Carey, and Shelli.
Later in life, Ellaree embarked on a career with the Duval County School Board, and she remarried, welcoming another son, Dale Joseph Barashes, into her life, along with two stepsons, Mike and Scott. During this period, she also became a Sunday School teacher and worked with the youth groups at 103rd Street Baptist Church.
Teaching Sunday school became her passion. She taught for over 25 years at several churches including Murray Hill and Westside Baptist. Whether teaching preschoolers, caring for infants in the nursery, working with youth groups, or teaching adult Sunday School, she was devoted to spreading the love of Jesus to as many people as possible. She wanted everyone to know Jesus like she did!
After her fifth child was old enough, she went back to school and earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and started a career with the Department of Children and Families. She took great pride in helping others through this job.
Ellaree Griffin Barashes will be remembered not only for dedication to her church but, most importantly, for her giving heart, unwavering faith, and endless love for her family and community. May she rest in eternal peace, reunited with loved ones and in the embrace of the Lord she so cherished.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4th from 6PM to 8PM. Funeral Service is Friday January 5th at 11am at Fraser Funeral Home located 8168 Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, Fl 32221
Fraser Funeral Home
Fraser Funeral Home
Gethsemane Memorial Gardens
Dale Barashes
January 3, 2024, 7:49 am
Mom, I do not know how to write this. I know that you’re in heaven, and I’m so glad that you are young and beautiful. Thank you for being the best mom anyone could ever ask for. I know it was joked about me being the accident child, you having me when you were almost 40, but if I was the accident, you were the best thing that ever happened to me besides my salvation in which I think you would be proud of. I will honor you on Friday, I’m nervous but I know that you will always be with me. This is not goodbye Mom, this is see you later. Please say hi to Dad, tell Mike he still owes me 300 bucks, Tell Scott that I said cowboy up buttercup, tell Susan and Stevie I love them and miss them both and we’ll see them soon as well. Thank you for being such a great role model. Thank you for setting the example of the type of woman I should have in my life. Most importantly, thank you for teaching me how to have eternal life just like you. I don’t know what better get the parent can give than the gift of church and the teachings of the Bible. I love you forever. Dale
Joe Barbaree
January 4, 2024, 3:31 pm
Shelli, I Can Tell Your Mom Was A Great Lady, By How Awesome Of A Daughter She Raised, I’m So Saddened About Your Loss & Send My Deepest Condolences, Your Friend,🙏 Joe B.🙏