Henry Rawls Griffin
Published 12:23 pm Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Henry Rawls Griffin, 80, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2016. He was born May 29, 1935 in Isle of Wight County and was the son of the late Robert Lee and Ivey May G. Griffin. He was predeceased by brothers, Robert Lee Griffin Jr. and Francis Seward Griffin, and daughter-in-law, Jane Brusky Griffin. Henry was a 1953 graduate of Windsor High School and a 1957 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a BS in agricultural education. In 1957, Henry graduated, married and moved to Tappahannock where a job was waiting for him. He worked for the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Essex and Middlesex counties and later in Nansemond County. He later went to work for Gwaltney Inc. in Smithfield as an assistant manager of procurement. He retired from Smithfield Foods after 39 years.
In 1994, the organization of the Southeast Swine Producers awarded him the Virginia Pork Industry Association Service Award for 45 years of service in the pork industry. He served in United States Army Reserves for six and a half years.
Henry was a life-long member of Woodland United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of board of trustees for more than 40 years, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served as superintendent of Sunday school for many years and chaired the administration council. Henry was a charter member of the United Methodist Men and was the last surviving charter member. Henry received special recognition for his faith and dedication to Woodland Church when he was presented with a pin and certificate, and a special gift to missions was made in his honor. He was also a member of the Isle of Wight Ruritan Club, past president for several years and was zone 5 governor of Holland District in 1971, and a member of the Orbit Hunt Club.
He is survived by his wife, Angie Eley Griffin of 59 years; his sons, Allen Keith Griffin and companion, Beth, Christopher “Chris” Henry Griffin and wife Cindy; daughter, Ann R. Griffin Bracey and husband Travis; grandsons, Brandon Carey Griffin, Tyler James Bracey and Troy Allen Bracey; brother, Frederick Steele Griffin of Florida; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 30, 2 p.m. at Woodland United Methodist Church, 20051 Orbit Road, Windsor with Pastor Mandy Newman and the Rev. Robert L. Cofield Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Woodland UMC, Perpetual Cemetery Fund, c/o Delores G. Steinert, Bob White Road, Windsor, VA 23487 or to Windsor Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 636, Windsor, VA 23487.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.RWBakerFH.com
R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk is handling the arrangements.