Selena D Griffin

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a Season.

Seasons of the Life of Selena D. Griffin 

Sunrise: A Time to Be Born 

Selena D. Griffin (known as Nina to her family and friends) was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 2, 1966, to the late Thomas Commander and Carolyn Shambley. With the blessing of Tom, she was loving and respectfully raised by her father, James A. Livingston.

A Time to Grow

Nina grew up in Newark, NJ and attended Newark public schools until Carolyn and James relocated the family to Piscataway New Jersey in 1977. Selena attended Piscataway public schools and graduated from Piscataway High School in 1984. She later attended Katherine Gibbs, for business administration, Cittone Institute, and finally attended Everest Institute for medical coding and billing. While going to school Selena managed to be a wonderful and devoted wife and mother and continued to take care of her family.

A Time to Work

During High School, Selena worked for the Piscataway Department of Public Works. Later, Selena had a long career in banking, where she first worked at First Fidelity in North Brunswick. Here she met her long-time best friend, Karen James. She then worked at Citi Federal along with her sister, Theresa. Selena next worked for First Atlantic Savings in South Plainfield again with her sister Theresa. Selena later worked for a new company, Total Repair Express, where she was the office manager and became a member of their family. Selena remained there for over 19 years and when the company closed, Selena again changed careers and got her certificate in medical coding and billing and worked at AmeriHealth in Piscataway, Selena worked there until that company too was closed.

A Time to Love

When Nina moved to Piscataway, she first made friends with Sandra, Melissa and Keith, this friendship would lead to a lifetime of love, with Keith’s twin brother Kevin. Selena and Kevin began their relationship in 1980. The two were inseparable. When you saw one you saw the other, (even at the girls only events Kevin was there with her). Selena and Kevin’s love is an inspiration to so many, a rare love that began in middle school and lasted a Lifetime. From this union, Selena and Kevin had three boys, Kevin Kashon Corey, and Darius. Selena was devoted to her sons until the day she departed this world, guiding and speaking to them two to three times daily, providing them words of counsel, redirecting their steps and supporting all of their endeavors. While Selena and Kevin had no daughters, they welcomed their neice Domonique in their home as one of their own. Selena also welcomed into her family her daughter-in law Shameeka (Darius) and was excited to witness the engagement of Corey and Shatoya this past Christmas Eve. While Selena did not have any biological grandchildren, she was an honorary grandmother to Kalen (Kashon’s stepdaughter).

Sunset: A Time to Celebrate Life

On January 25, 2023, Selena went home to be with the Lord and was received in heaven by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Commander, Mr. and Mrs. E. Shambley, and Willie James Livingston, great grandmothers Lucille Williams, and Lena Livingston and her biological father, Thomas Commander. Selena was also greeted by a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends that preceded her in death. She leaves to carry on her legacy; her loving and devoted husband Kevin Griffin, and her three son’s Kevin Kashon, Corey, and Darius and her niece (the daughter she never had) Domonique. Also, who remains to honor her memory is her mother Carolyn Shambley-Livingston, father, James Livingston, grandmother, Catherine Livingston, aunts, Yvonne (Wayne) Hamilton, Charlene (John) Pettyjohn, Gloria (Ronny who preceded her in death) Commander; uncles, Matthew Stevens, Tony (Latasha)Coats, Ricky Commander and Curtis (Nancy) Shambley . Finally, she leaves to cherish her memory; her sisters Theresa Shambley (Troy), Carla Livingston (Corey) and Jaclyn Headd (Nathan); her in-laws; her devoted mother-in-law, Josephine Griffin, her brothers in- law; Henry, Wallace, Johnny (Marie), Keith; sisters in-law, Francis, Linda, Betty, Doris (Charles), Rose and Grace. Selena was a doting aunt, God- mother, and friend to many who remain to love and honor her memory.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.

II Timothy 4:7-8

Submitted in Love by the Family      

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