Fradonna Lynn Phillips Griffin

Fradonna Lynn Phillips Griffin, 73, of Garland, Texas made her final curtain call on February 22, 2022 at Methodist Richardson Medical Center in Richardson, Texas.

A special celebration and production of “The Life of Fradonna” will be on Saturday, April 16th at 2:00 at “Gather” in downtown McKinney, TX; 207 E. Virginia Street. Please bring your funny stories, smiles, and share fun memories with us about Fradonna!

Fradonna was born on April 8, 1948 to Donald Odell Phillips and Frances Glenn Phillips in Norfolk, Virginia. She graduated from Bradley High School in Cleveland, Tennessee in 1966. After high school, Fradonna graduated with a bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1970 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She moved to Texas in 1980 with her husband, Lou, and called Dallas her home ever since.

Fradonna answered to many names: Mother, Mom, Miss Donna, Bunny, Fred, and Momma Fred. This coupon-cutting, puzzle- loving actress loved her family and friends deeply; and given the chance, talked about them with anyone who would listen. Lovingly known as “Bunny” to her grandchildren, she was the FUN grandmother and loved planning outings with them. You could catch her going down the water slides at Hawaiian Falls, taking them on trips, whipping up big meals, and passing out big hugs and kisses!

“Fred” loved being on stage and working in every capacity she could with her beloved theater family. She took great pride in the characters she played and spent countless hours rehearsing and learning her lines.

Fradonna had many four-legged friends throughout her life who were her “children”. Some of those pets included Snoopy, Gus, Smudge, Baxter, Ella, and her current puppies Myrtle and Millie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Louis Griffin, Sr. (Lou); her parents, Don and Fran Phillips; her brother, Greg Phillips; and the father of her children Jimmie Lamar Simmons.

Left to cherish her memory are her children; Christy Simmons Parker and husband Heath of Pampa, TX; Drs. David Lamar Simmons and wife Lisa of Carlsbad, New Mexico; and John Louis Griffin, Jr. and wife Ruth of Melissa, TX. Grandchildren: Bryce, Kade, and Jancey Parker; Bo and Sadie Simmons; Nina Humphrey and husband Ryan; Kaitlynn Neal and husband Brian; McKenzie Griffin, and Griffin Pruitt. Great-grandchildren: Jaxson, Ava, and Logan. A sister-in-law, Lisa Phillips of Chattanooga, TN; and nephew Matthew Phillips of California. Special cousins that were like sisters, Diana Glenn Holmes and husband Tom of Panama City Beach, FL; and Carolyn Glenn Pittman and husband Ben of Pawleys Island, SC; and several other cousins, nieces, and nephews from both sides of the family. Her theater family, and a host of special friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made in her name to: Richardson Community Theater, 518 West Arapaho Suite 113, Richardson, TX 75080; Allen Community Theater, 1210 East Main Street #300, Allen, TX 75002, direct link for donations: https://bit.ly/ACTDonatenow

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