Willie “Grip” Griffin

Obituary For Willie “Grip” Griffin

Celebration of Life for Mr. Willie Eugene Griffin “Grip” “Carve your name on hearts; not tombstones, a legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you”

Mr. Willie Eugene Griffin was born on July 27, 1953 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Irene Griffin. He was preceded in death by seven siblings; Willie James Griffin, Jack Griffin, Willie Mae Washington, Betty Mae Bryant, Jimmy Lee Griffin, Rosa Mae Thompson, and JC Griffin; two aunts: Bessie Mae Cannady and Estoria Cannady-McIntosh; one nephew: Alexander Washington, one grandson; Terrance “TJ” Sirmans, and his best friend James Mitchell.

Willie departed his life on June 14, 2021 doing what he loved.

Willie’s life work began at an early age. As a teenager, he taught Sunday School. His compelling work ethic was always on display. He was educated within the Brooks County School System and became a member of the Class ‘73. Willie’s legendary skills on the court earned him the name “Grip”, because of the way he would grip the basketball. One of the most exciting chapters of his life began when he married the love of his life Emma Jean Parson Griffin.

Grip leaves to cherish, his wife of 38 years Emma Jean Parson Griffin of Quitman, GA; Five children; Darrick (LaKera) Griffin of Midway, FL; Reggie (Anthonette) Baker of Savannah, GA; Wendy (Rhodesia) Hadley-Thomas of Dixie, GA; Stacey (LaKonya) Parson of Charleston, SC; Trisha (Jeff) Valentine of Jacksonville, FL; and Devan Henderson of Tampa, FL; 20 grandchildren: Damaree, Darrick Jr, Jermal, JaQuan, LaDeja, Zharia, Tylanna, Jaedon, Stacia, Jace, Khole, McKenzie, Gabe, Audrey, Chaz, Taeler, Aujae (Wayne), Alani, Sariyah and Cassidy; Two great-grandchildren: Kian and Reign; One brother: Mack Arthur Griffin; One sister: Essie Mae Griffin; Eight in-laws: Beatrice (Jimmy) Thomas; Dorothy Parson, Vera Turner, Gertrude Peterson, James Parson, Freddie (Janice) Parson, Arthur Washington and Wilma Griffin; One Godson: Marcaaus (Kenyata) Christian; Son and Daughter in Christ; Lakeisha Virgil, Jessica Calhoun, Curtis Deshazior and Jewell Reddick; Special Friends Nathaniel Bryant and Jerry Miller.

Uncle Grip was more than uncle to many of us. He stepped in to fill the gaps and take charge. This reigns especially true for his (sister-daughter-niece) Judy, Erma Jean Griffin and Dorothy Foster. His commanding presence was the comfort we all needed. Uncle Grip wrapped his loving arms around his family and even raised several of us as his own. Tammy, Stephanie, Jennifer, Dexter, Travis and Camillia, he loved all his nieces and nephews very much.

Grip’s heart was bigger than his presence and his love of people spilled over to the community. For this he wore many hats; “HardDock”, “Big Money Grip” just to name a few. He was also known as the father of Lafayette Street to Rocky Hadley, Terry Stewart, Tellis Barber, Chris Cole, Cedric Stewart, Brian Williams, Thomas Henry, Robert McKinnon, Terrell Denson, Coy Miley, and Nakita Henry.

He was a simple man that enjoyed the simple things of life that mattered like spending time with family and friends, playing cards, watching sports including his favorite teams Brooks County Trojans and the Georgia Bulldogs, playing dominoes with Valentino Henry and D Wright. But his passion was fishing. Grip lived and completed the Lord’s work by feeding the community, parting wisdom, trash talking, housing, financial aid and just being there. To his Harvey’s, Langboard Inc. and H&H Pavement family, you were dearly loved.

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”

A celebration of life will be Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 10AM at Hill Crest Memorial Gardens with Min. Stacey Parson, eulogist. Visitation will be Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Stevens-McGhee Chapel from 11AM-7PM. Visit this website or our Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home Facebook page to view a livestream of the celebration.

Continue to keep the family in your daily thoughts and prayers.