James Edward “Jake” Griffin, peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home on Friday, January 23, at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, Anderson, SC. He was the son of the late Lewis Rice and Ethel Griffin Bobo, and the husband of the late Garle Jefferson Griffin. He was a retired US Air Force Veteran, a member of the Silver Lake Masonic Lodge #388, Order of the Eastern Star Finley Chapter #231, Pleasant Falls Sympathy Club, and a member of the Hardy Chapel Baptist Church, where he served until his health declined: the Trustee Ministry, the Senior Choir and the Usher Ministry.
Born on March 3, 1935, Jake was educated in the Spartanburg County school system and was a graduate of Lincoln High School. After his retirement from the Air Force (20 years), he worked for Xerox Corporation and WSPA.
Jake loved to cook, entertain and travel. He loved sports, especially collegiate football and basketball. His favorite basketball team was The Lady Gamecocks.
In addition to his parents and wife, Jake was preceded in death by his brother, Ivory Victor “IV” Rice, Sr; and sister Betty “BJ” Staggs.
Left to cherish fond memories are his sisters: Annie (Maceo) Medley of Silverwood, MI; Annie Bell Peak of Las Vegas, NV; Genelle Bey (Larry) of Ateo, NJ. His god- granddaughter Katelyn Martin, a close friend that was more like a son, Chris Hook, and a host of family and friends.
A special thank you to the Loving Care of South Carolina Home Health Services (Cynthia, Annette, Sarah, Mary).
Masonic and Eastern Star Rites will be held on Friday, February 6 at 5:00 pm at
The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel. Family will receive friends 6:00 –
7:30pm.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 7 at 12:00 noon at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel. Burial, with Military Rites, will be at First Baptist Church of Fairforest. Livestream will be available via Facebook on the TEEFERGUSONREPORT at https://evt.live/james-griffin