John Garland Griffin Sr., 90, of Suffolk, Va., passed away Jan. 20, 2009. He was born in Nansemond County, the son of the late Annie Viola Harrell Griffin and Benjamin Ocie Griffin. He was a U. S. Navy veteran, having served during World War II. He later went on to become the owner and operator of J. Garland Griffin & Son Custom Cabinets. Garland was a member of Providence United Methodist Church and the Gray Memorial Class. He served as a former teacher, past president, and past Sunday school superintendent. He was a lay leader and participated in various committees as well as the choir.
Garland is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Clark Griffin, of Suffolk, Va.; sons and daughters-in-law, John Garland Griffin Jr. and Patricia A. Griffin, of Kilmarnock, Va., Larry Clark Griffin and Helen M. Griffin, of Suffolk, Va., Richard “Dicky” Griffin and Patricia A. Griffin, of Hartfield, Va.; five grandchildren, Karen Leonard and husband Chris, Kimberly Warholak and husband Brian, Rick Griffin, Ben Griffin, and Libby Griffin; great-grandchild, Emmy Grace Leonard; numerous special nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Providence United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lisa Blackmonson and the Rev. Hank Teague officiating. Burial will follow at Nansemond Suffolk Cemetery with military honors. Friends may join the family Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, Va. Memorial contributions may be made to Providence United Methodist Church Memorial or General Fund at 3105 Providence Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.