Toby Griffith-Wyandt

Toby Griffith-Wyandt, 90, of Galena, Mo., passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minn., while she and her husband were traveling.

One of two children, she was born July 12, 1918, in Elco, Ill., to Sidney Bumpas and Fronie Fern McKee Thomas. She and Merrell M. Griffith were married Jan. 29, 1942, in St. Charles, Mo. He passed away June 19, 1989.

Toby attended the former nursing school at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis and later earned a bachelor of science degree. During her career, she worked at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston and as an office nurse for Dr. A.P. Sargent. She later worked many years as an OB supervisor at Christian Northwest Hospital in North County St. Louis.

Toby and Merrell both retired in 1980 and the couple moved from Hazelwood, Mo., to Sedgewickville, Mo. They were active members of the Presbyterian Church in Whitewater, and she was also a member of the United Methodist Women's group at Whitewater Methodist Church. She had an avid appreciation for music and enjoyed playing the piano at the various churches she attended through the years.

Being such a spunky "ball of fire" with personality plus, Toby lived life to its fullest. In addition to traveling extensively, she volunteered many years at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, formerly bowled on the Women's League in Sikeston, attended Red Hat Society meetings, and in later years she volunteered with the Miss USA Pageant in Texas.

On Dec. 1, 2001, Toby married Lee Wyandt in Port Isabel, Texas. Lee also loved to travel. The couple resided part time in South Padre Island, Texas, and part time in Galena.

Survivors include her loving husband, Lee Wyandt; two sons, Richard Griffith of Millersville, Dr. Kent (Debbie) Griffith of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Jo Ellen "Joey" (Paul) Crosnoe of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three stepsons; a stepdaughter; and seven stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Merrell M. Griffith (June 19, 1989); a son, Thomas Merrell Griffith; and a brother, Sidney Thomas.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Judevine Center for Autism, Southeast Missouri Office, 107 S. Broadview St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.