Gail Henderson Griffith

Gail Henderson Griffith, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Asheville, North 
Carolina, on December 23,2025, under the soft glow of her Christmas tree. 

She was the beloved daughter of Margaret and Stanley Henderson and the sister of Jean 
Henderson Hobday, who predeceased her in 2024. 

Gail will be lovingly remembered by her children, Diane Forward Davis and David “Chip” S. 
Forward; her stepdaughter Mary Sadler and her stepson Alan Griffith and her many friends and 
neighbors. She was the proud grandmother of Andrew, Katharine, Connor and Ashley. 
She is survived by her former husband, David R. Forward, father of Diane and Chip. 

Born in Washington, D.C., Gail was a 1952 graduate of Blair High School in Silver Spring, 
Maryland and went on to earn her degree from the University of Maryland in 1956. During her 
college years, she was a proud sister of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. 

Active in the Republican Party throughout her life, Gail worked at the Republican National 
Committee in Washington DC, as the Director  of Conventions, a role in which she formed 
lifelong friendships and where she met and married Ralph E. Griffith (1928-2015)

After her retirement in 1989, Gail and Ralph moved to the beautiful mountains of Asheville, 
North Carolina, a place they cherished for the rest of their lives. Gail treasured her close 
connections to her neighbors and friends in Asheville.

She and Ralph embraced travel and explored the world together going on safari in Africa, 
spending time in London, trips to Scotland, exploring the Mediterranean, visiting Russia, 
enjoying Alaskan cruises, and experiencing many other countries and cultures. But no matter 
how far she traveled, she always returned to Maryland for family visits with her children and 
grandchildren. 

She was a member of the women’s organization, P.E.O, Asheville chapter.  As a Biltmore 
Estate season passholder for over 30 years, near her home, she enjoyed many days exploring 
the estate with her daughter and visiting guests. 

For many years she, Ralph and family members, spent each April and September at the 
beaches in South Carolina. Fittingly, Gail‘s final trip was this past September, when she spent a 
sun filled week in Surfside, South Carolina with her son, daughter, and two of her grandchildren.
Gail’s life was rich with love, adventure, and deep connections. She will be profoundly missed 
and forever cherished.

She will be interred at a family plot in Maryland at a future date, in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the WNC Nature Center in Asheville. https://wildwnc.org/

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