The descendants of James Joseph Griffin and Josephine Powell Griffin held their annual family reunion on July 21 in Providence Methodist Church on Rt. 460.

Garland and Barbara Griffin hosted the covered-dish luncheon reunion. The Rev. Hank Teague gave the blessing and Harrell Jory gave the welcome address.

A family tree chart and history of the Griffin family was on display furnished by Velna Griffin of Suffolk. The Griffins can trace their line to Mills Griffin and his wife Elizabeth Charles of Southampton County. Mills and Elizabeth Griffin were married on April 2, 1806. She was the daughter of Jethro and Eleanor Charles of Southampton County.

The oldest woman present was Maude Young of Franklin; the oldest man was Garland Griffin of Suffolk; the youngest girl was MacKenzie Dawn Griffin, the daughter of Jeremy and Becky Griffin of Chesapeake; and the youngest boy in attendance was Ethan Jacobe Griffin, son of Brian and Kelly Griffin of Suffolk.

Those who traveled the farthest were Les and Annie Jo Jory Rees of Indianapolis, Ind.

Since the last reunion, the family has made an addition of three new family members with the following births: MacKenzie Dawn Griffin, daughter of Jeremy and Becky of Chesapeake; Ethan Jacob Griffin, the son of Brian and Kelly Jory Griffin of Suffolk; and Anni Elizabeth Groves, the daughter of Gene and Jennifer Griffin Groves of Suffolk.

One family member also passed away since the last gathering – Harry Monroe Griffin of Windsor.

There were 71 family members and guests present who traveled from the following cities:

Chesapeake: Nancy J. Schreyer, Gene, Ginny, Aaron and Kristal Cooper; Bryan Young, Jeremy, Becky and MacKenzie Griffin; Tommy Griffin, Betty Smith, Gertrude Bass, Theresa and Joe Stephenson.

Franklin: Maude Young, Walter and Betty Sue Young;

Norfolk: Jessie Mae Griffin.

Suffolk: Kenny, Cheryl Kyle and Shannon Griffin; Orie Griffin, Laura Hurley, Burgess and Betty Selby, Sharon and Cameron Gregory; Andrew Griffin and Karen Haas; Abby Griffin and Colt Rhoades; Rev. Hank Teague, Helen and Larry Griffin; Garland and Barbara Griffin; John Jory, Brian, Kelly and Ethan Griffin; Sara Griffin, Harrell and Rose Jory; Greg Griffin, Annie Lee Duff, Sydney and Velna Griffin.

Richmond: C.W. and Annie Maude Jones; Jacquelyn J. Stone, Jeanette Jones, Herbert and Myrtle Griffin; and Carol G. Claytor.

Virginia Beach: Gordie Griffin, Frank and Lesley Griffin; and Cathie Bowing.

Walters: David Griffin.

Windsor: Wayne, Kendall and Martha Griffin.

Kill Devil Hill, N.C.: Sharon, Aubrey and Hailey Schreyer.

Winston, Salem, N.C.: Tommy and Nancy Griffin and Judi C. Griffin.

Indianapolis, Ind.: Les and Annie Jo Jory Rees.