Winfred S. Griffin

On July 29, 2017 God called home one of his soldiers by the name of Winfred S. Griffin.  He was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina on September 14, 1926 to the late Joe Griffin and Mary Jane Harvey and was married to the late Gertha Lee Carroll.

 He was educated in the Pasquotank County School System, graduating from P.W. Moore High School, later moving to Portsmouth, Virginia.  “Mr. G,”as he is known to those around him, served in WWII and received a Victory Medal and Occupation Ribbon.  After his service in the military, he was employed at the Norfolk Naval Air Station, retiring after 37 years of service.

 Mr. G joined St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in 1998, where he served as the building superintendent for many years, was a member of the Tribe of Benjamin, and a member of the Veterans Ministry where he served faithfully until his illness.  He will be forever remembered for all the stories he would tell of his journey from North Carolina to Portsmouth, especially the ride on his bicycle with nothing but change in his pocket.

 Besides his parents and wife, he was pre-deceased by his brother James Lee Griffin.

 He is survived by his five children: Malvinia M. Mutts, William L. Griffin and Winfred R. Griffin of Portsmouth, Virginia; Arizander E. Griffin of Manhattan, New York and Waverly L. Griffin of Grove City, Ohio; five sisters: Mary Scoon, Doris Linton (Obediah), Alice Griffin, Leona Loretta Taylor (Leo) and Jean Griffin Johnson; two brothers, McClease Griffin and McRay Griffin (Gladys); two sisters-in-law, Evola Pope of Portsmouth and Mary Carroll of North Carolina; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, friends and Juanita Carroll, his “second daughter” as he called her.

 Viewing will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, from 12 Noon to 8 pm.   A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 7, 2017, 11 am at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 2714 Frederick Blvd., Portsmouth, VA  23704.  Interment with military honors will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 3920 Airline Blvd., Chesapeake, VA  23321.