The late Dr. Shirley Jean McGriff was born on January 22, 1947, in Mt. Enterprise, Texas, to the late Brother Eli Williams and the late Dr. Marjorie Williams of Phoenix, Arizona. In her earlier teens Dr. Shirley J. receive the Baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus and received the Holy Ghost of fire in her soul at First Pentecostal Church under the leadership of the late Bishop David Eddings Sr based in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

She was united in marriage to her devoted husband, Bishop Dr. Donnie McGriff, for 59 years. Their union was blessed with two sons, four daughters, and three sons-in-law, as well as a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  For 38 years, she served as First Lady and Vice President of Christ Temple Apostolic Church, faithfully laboring alongside her husband.

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Having fulfilled many of her dreams, Dr. Shirley J. earned her Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design and Home Furniture in 1969. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Aenon Bible College in 1980 and was ordained as an Elder at the California District Council in 2000.

 

She served as Women's Ministry President, Business Manager, and Vice President of Christ Temple International Apostolic University in El Cajon. A natural-born leader, a woman of God, a miracle, and a woman of virtue and integrity, she was a woman of purpose with extraordinary talents. She served on numerous auxiliaries and trained the Women's Ministry as well as women of different faiths. In 1997, she served as Second Assistant to the Ministers' Wives at the California District Council. 

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In 1998, at the P.A.W. National Convention, we nearly lost our beloved First Lady to a blood clot that caused bleeding on the brain for over a month. Her husband, mother, and daughter Kimberly remained at her bedside in Indianapolis, Indiana. Many Bishops, Pastors, and First Ladies visited and prayed for Dr. Shirley. Bishop called upon the family, Christ Temple members, and the San Diego churches to pray for her recovery. God answered those prayers, and she was brought home. Oh, the shouts of praise that went forth at 5952 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego: "Look what God has done!" Another miracle!

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With the grace of God and the support of her family, she furthered her education at the International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she earned a B.A. Degree in Business, a Master's of Christian Education and Christian Counseling (summa cum laude), and a Doctorate of Theology (summa cum laude). In 2000, she also published her first book, When You Are Miss-Informed, You Will Miss-Inform Others. Pursuing a degree in Psychology at Aenon Christian College.

When she isn’t planning or working faithfully around the church. She teaches every first Saturday of the month to the Women’s Ministry and the Women in Fellowship, what is your purpose relation with God and walk in Excellence. Her greatest desire is to see God work in the lives of those to whom she ministers. Dr. Shirley McGriff favorite motto' is   "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!"

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In 2015, the late First Lady McGriff assumed the role of First Elect Lady of the Southern California District Council – 67th Episcopal District, serving under the leadership of her husband, the first Diocesan Bishop of the SCDC of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Until her passing, she served as Director of Ministers' Wives of the Southern California District Council and was also a gifted stage decorator for the council.

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Bishop McGriff, the First family and Greater Christ Temple Families will never forget our beloved first lady.  God called first lady home on July 2, 2020. First Lady Dr. Shirley McGriff is remembered by her high notes , anointed, gifted singing. Her love for  the GCTAC members and especially the children making sure they were fed between services, the gift of speaking life into the Women's Ministry the joy of loving her husband, daughters, sons, sons in laws, daughter in love and especially the grandchildren and great grands.  Mom, Nana, First Lady your labor was not in vain and we give God the glory that we were able to cherish you! 

You'll never be forgotten! 

~Forever LOVED~