“Theresa Marie Griffis, 60, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2026, at Hospice House in Raleigh, North Carolina. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Valdosta, GA and will be posted here once those arrangements are made.

Theresa was born on May 31, 1966, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, but spent most of her life in Valdosta, Georgia. She spent her final days surrounded by family in Zebulon, North Carolina.

If you knew Theresa, you knew she was kind, stubborn, with just the right amount of spicy. She was the kind of person who would give you the shoes right off her feet if you needed them. Helping people was simply who she was. Whether someone was sick, struggling, or just needed a little extra love, Theresa was there.

She was also a woman of very important priorities: her family, grandchildren, Pepsi and trash tv. A Pepsi was rarely far from her hand, and anyone who knew her knows that was probably for the best. She loved keeping things clean, watching America’s Got Talent with her grandchildren, and settling in with her daughter to watch shows like Love Island—because apparently there is no better way to bond with your daughter than judging strangers on television together.

Theresa loved giving the people she loved nicknames, and her family will forever know themselves by the names she gave them. She leaves behind her son, Chad Griffis (Buck), her daughter Danielle Thorne (Boinky) and her three grandchildren Jordyn (Boog), Addison (Punky) and Evan (Rocketman). Those names are just one of the many little pieces of Theresa that will live on through her family.

She is also survived by her three sisters Brenda Pryor, Mara Greenwalt and Bonnie Reed. Including many nieces and nephews who love her dearly.

Theresa was preceded in death by her brother, George Dombrowski; her mother Eva Scott; her father, Joseph Dombrowski, and her stepfather, Dennis “Scotty” Scott.

Theresa faced more challenges in her life than anyone should have to endure. But no matter how hard life became, she never wavered. She was stubborn enough to keep going, kind enough to keep caring, and spicy enough to make sure everyone knew exactly what she thought about it.

During the last year of her life, Theresa was surrounded by love and care from her children and from Christopher Beasley whom she lovingly referred to as her son-in-law. Christopher stood by her side and helped her daughter care for her through some of the hardest days of her life, and her family will always be grateful for the love he gave her.

Theresa’s life was about family, helping others, laughing at the ridiculousness of life, and making sure the people she loved knew they were loved—even if she occasionally had a very stubborn way of showing it.

And because Theresa would absolutely not be Theresa without leaving us with one last request, her final wish was for her ashes to be placed in a Pepsi bottle and taken to Jamaica to be spread there. Her children plan to honor that wish very soon. Because if Theresa was going to leave this world, she was certainly going to do it her own way—with a Pepsi in hand and Jamaica waiting on the other side.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Until we meet again, save us a seat and keep a cold Pepsi waiting for us.” 

Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.