With great sadness we announce the passing of Stephanie Jean (Cooper) Griffith, loving wife, mother, and daughter who died unexpectedly in her sleep at her home in Stevenson, Washington, on November 10, 2024.

Stephanie was born August 7, 1974, at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington to Gloria (Cooper) Bender and Gary Cooper. At an early age Stephanie's parents divorced. Her father continued his Army career and Stephanie moved with her mother to Kennewick, WA, her mother's hometown, where she was surrounded by a loving extended family and many friends.

In March 1982 Stephanie's mother married Thomas Bender. Stephanie was three years old when Tom came into her life and she loved him dearly.

Stephanie was a sweet and happy little girl. Her tender heart was confirmed when she was voted by her grade school classmates to be a Natural Helper. Stephanie also loved to dance. From the first day she walked into the dance studio at age three she enjoyed performing. She learned quickly and was very good at it. She continued dance classes until high school when she joined the Kennewick High School band, playing her flute at concerts, football games, and participating in band competitions.

After she graduated from Kennewick High School in 1992, she attended CBC for two years and then Eastern Washington University. She later achieved a paralegal certificate from Portland University where she was on the dean's list. After raising her son Braeden, Stephanie worked for several lawyers in Portland and Vancouver.

In 2005, Stephanie married Brian Griffith in Richland, Washington where their son Braeden Thomas was born. Seeking employment opportunities, they moved to Goldendale, and then to their permanent home in Stevenson, Washington when Brian began working as a surveyor for PGE. They loved this beautiful town next to the Columbia Gorge. Visiting aunts/uncles/cousins in Kennewick on occasion over the years, Stephanie preferred the cooler, quaint town of Stevenson, which was surrounded by fir trees and not too far from the Pacific Ocean.

Stephanie enjoyed baking, needlepoint, crocheting, and doing crafts where she could express her artistic flair. She loved the many dogs her family had over the years, especially Elliott, her Chihuahua who was her constant companion. More than anything Stephanie loved being Braeden's mom. She was so proud to watch him graduate from high school last June and start college at WSU's Vancouver campus the end of August.

Stephanie is survived by her husband, Brian Griffith and their son, Braeden Griffith; parents Gloria and Tom Bender, Kennewick, WA; Gary Cooper, stepsisters Brooke and Beth, all of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and many wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins.

Although we will miss you dearly, Stephanie, we know you are now experiencing the Joy of His Presence. We will see you again in heaven.

Services will be held at Mueller's Funeral Home followed by Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick, Washington, on November 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.