By Staff
Verlin Griffin, age 83, of Roper, N.C. died January 18, 2008 at home surrounded by his family. Born July 19, 1924, Mr. Griffin, son of Will and Gurtha Griffin, grew up in the Farm Life community of Martin County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Archie Griffin, George Griffin and William Griffin; sisters, Carrie Dell Rodgerson, Thelma Patterson, Daisy Edwards, Marie Griffin and Shirley Griffin. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Korean War. Mr. Griffin was a general contractor primarily in Martin County during the late 1940s and 1950s. He and his family moved to Roper in 1961 to pursue farming full time. He was a member of Roper Baptist Church, active in agribusiness and served his community over the years in various roles including church deacon, Washington County Farm Bureau President, Chairman of the Washington County Hospital Board, and a member of the Washington County Planning Commission.
Mr. Griffin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Myrtle Rawls Griffin; five children, Debra Griffin of Alpharetta, Georgia, Keith Griffin of the home, Terri Taylor and husband Ronald of Carolina Beach, Jeff Griffin and wife Martha Rae of Roper and Tim Griffin and wife Janet of Roper; five grandchildren, Whitney and Hannah Smith of Alpharetta, Georgia, Lydia Rush and Joseph Griffin of Roper and Katie Boyd of Charlotte; one brother, John R. Griffin of Roper; many nieces and nephews; and his dog, Gus.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Piney Grove Baptist Church, Williamston, and other times at the home. A service celebrating Mr. Griffin’s life will be held at Piney Grove Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, 2008 with the Rev. Howard Simpson and the Rev. Jimmy Hagwood officiating. Interment will follow at Tice Cemetery in the Farm Life Community. Biggs Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Paid Obituary