On January 21, 2023 Tennille "Big Sexy" Griffin passed away.  Tennille was born on September 6, 1977 to Vanessa A. Griffin and Dennis Copeland of Chesapeake, VA.  Tennille is predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Mable Griffin and her paternal grandparents Miriam and Thomas Copeland.  Tennille attended Chesapeake Public Schools and worked in the retail industry for over 20 years.

Tennille leaves to treasure her unforgettable memories, her three kings, TreVaughn, Tremont, and TaJon Griffin, her mother, Vanessa Griffin, her father, Dennis Copeland, her seven grandchildren, JaChai Simmons, Jace Jones, Dior Griffin, Noviella Griffin, Amour Griffin, Tai'Lynn Griffin, Noviah Griffin, her siblings, Tasha Griffin, Tedra Griffin, her brother-in-law, Sean Williams, her half brother, Marcus Smith, her bonus sister, Sarina Brooks, her significant other, lover, and confidant, George Holley passionately known to her as boop, her children's father and great friend, Anthony (Tony) Brooks, four phew-sons, TaShawn Griffin, TaQuan Griffin (KeNaisa), James Williams (LaRonda), and Terion Griffin, her two niecey-poohs, Tishara Griffin and TaDajah Williams, four great nephews, Jaron Williams, Bryson Williams, Juelz Griffin, Kaiden Williams, her great niece, Paris Griffin, her bonus nephew, Garry (Pooh) Brooks, her phew-pup, Gohan Griffin, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Nille AKA "Big Sexy" was a spirit that would always brighten your day. Nille would fill every room with laughter and joy because she had such a big personality.  She was so genuine, loving, and caring but she was the biggest comedian out of everyone.  Her loud, obnoxious laugh will always be remembered.  Her insanely wild jokes and comments were her trademark.  She made it her mission to make people around her laugh and smile.  Her laugh alone would make anyone burst out laughing. Nille adored spending time with her sisters and mother; she loved to share memories and laughs with them.

One of Big Sexy's biggest passions was sports.  Before becoming a big Carolina Panthers fan, she was the biggest fan of all her kids, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.  She made sure she showed up to nearly every sports event for all of the kids no matter how much playing time they got.  She made sure the kids would make it to practices and games whether it was early in the morning on the weekends or late in the evening on weekdays. Nille helped the kids get involved in all types of sports including baseball, football, and basketball.  She did her best to make sure all of the kids were participating in extracurricular activities that would benefit their lives.

Tennille loved all the kids as much as anything in this entire world.  The love she had for her family was truly unconditional love.  She always made sure she'd get the kids pajamas to sleep in, birthday gifts to enjoy, and Christmas presents to play with.  She made sure she took good care of any and everyone around her.  Whenever all of the kids wanted to get together, her house was the first place they would go.  She allowed all of the kids to stay over whenever they wanted and however long they wanted.  She always made sure there was food and drinks in the house for the kids.  There was not a thing she would not sacrifice for her family.  She taught all of us how to be a better person and how to genuinely be happy.  Tennille is responsible for so many good memories that will be cherished forever.  The vital role she played in this family will help hold the family together forever even though she is not here physically.  Big Sexy was such a big piece of the family's foundation that can never be replaced, lost, or broken.

Tennille was a huge inspiration to everyone in the family, she was extremely active in her children's lives, and she played a pivotal role in raising all of her sibling's children so a piece of her lives in everyone.  Big Sexy was a very unique individual that we have all benefitted from knowing.  That bright light she instilled in all of us will surely be passed on.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 900 Middle sex Street, Norfolk. Viewing will be held from 5pm until 7pm Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake.

You can join the service livestream at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/7481911574