Reverend George R. Griffin

George Redden Griffin was born April 24, 1939 in Pantego NC to the late Leroy and Mary Alice Griffin. He is the second of six children. George attended Beauford County Public Schools for the Colored community. He graduated from high school in 1957. He graduated from Elizabeth City State Teacher’s College in 1963. He was a student teacher at Beauford County High School. He married the late Mary Ann Waters Griffin in 1962 and from their union, 4 children were born. He started his teaching career in Suffolk, VA. In 1968, George accepted a teaching position in the Portsmouth VA Public School System and he moved his family to Cavalier Manor. After settling in Portsmouth, George continued his education. He attended William and Mary College in 1966, Old Dominion University (Masters in Education) 1972, Old Dominion University (Advance Study in Education Administration) 1982, and Virginia Union University School of Theology 1996 and Tidewater Community College 2005. George taught at I.C. Norcom High School, Harry Hunt Jr. High School, and Churchland Middle School. He was the head of the Science Department at Churchland Middle School. George teaching career expanded over 39 years and he retired from Churchland Middle School in 2002. During the course of his career, George received numerous awards and certificates to include but not limited to; Churchland Junior High School Outstanding Service School & Community (1979-80), Science Educator of the Year in 1991, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Life Member Award 2009 and 2014 Golden Service Award (Portsmouth Alumni Chapter of ECSU. George was a deacon at Zion Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA. He received his licensed to preach the gospel in January 1997. Reverend George Griffin was an Associate Minister at New Baptist Church Taylorsville, Portsmouth, VA. George volunteered in the community for a variety of organizations. He cut and donated firewood, tutored, and built handicap ramps for the elderly. He worked the election polls. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Elizabeth City State University National Alumni Association, Inc. and American Association for Retired People (AARP). During his marriage to the late Mary Ann Waters Griffin, 4 children were born; Angelo Griffin (Cassandra) of Petersburg, VA, Sharon Griffin Nichols (Milton) of Chester, VA, Gwendolyn Griffin Goodwyn (Daryl, Sr.) of Portsmouth, VA, and Maria Griffin Lowery (Deshun, Sr.) of McDonough, GA. He has 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He has 4 brothers Theodore Griffin, Sr, the late William Brantley Griffin, Melvin Griffin, Sr., Horace Griffin, Sr. and one sister, Lossie Griffin Davis and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues.

Reverend George R. Griffin

April 24, 1939 - April 22, 2018