Person Page - 810

George William Griffin

• Father: William Henry Griffin b. 20 Oct 1847, d. 21 Feb 1924
• Mother: Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper b. 13 Apr 1848, d. 29 Nov 1947

• Charts: Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Name-Comm: Will Griffin
• Birth*: 6 June 1882; Good Hope (near Lineville), Clay Co., Alabama
• Photographed*: say 1900; Lineville, Clay Co., AL¹
  

  George William Griffin
• (Witness) Census 1900: 1 June 1900; Lineville, Clay Co., AL; head of family=William Henry Griffin²
• Marriage*: 5 June 1919; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama; Bride=Tomera Leslie Handley
• (Son) Photographed: say 1920; Clay Co., AL; Principal=William Henry Griffin, Principal=Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper³
  

  W. H. & Clarissa Griffin with Maude & Will
• Death*: 3 June 1979; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
• Burial*: 4 June 1979; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama⁴
• Biography*:
        George William Griffin was named William for his father and was known as "Will." A nephew, James M. Griffin, recalled that Will had brown eyes. In an article "Church plans reminder of big Lineville fire" on p. 18A of The Anniston Star Sunday, 28 May 1978, Will Griffin recalled the fire of 9 May 1913 which destroyed the First Methodist Church of Lineville: Slightly stooped but astonishingly alert, Griffin remembers standing in the street in front of the church as the flames licked around the steeple, and then, like paint dumped on a pyramid, spread down to engulf the entire two-story church. Last week he stood there again, this time in front of the citified brick edifice that replaced the weatherboard country-style church that burned. The burning was one of many things that separated Griffin from the familiar world he grew up in. He seems more in touch with dirt roads and wood-frames than with the blacktop and bricks that replaced them. "I don't know of one single thing that's like it was when I was growing up," he said. "Everything's reversed." One of those reversals was what he recalls as "a whale of a fire." He was a student at Lineville College [in a 5 Mar 1979 letter, a niece, Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee wrote that "Uncle Will is still wearing his class ring from 1913 when he finished the old Lineville College....], which closed its doors only two years later -- breaking another link with his past. "It took two or three hours (to burn)," he said. "There was no Lineville Fire Department. I was standing out in the street there while it was burning. We used to do that. When the fire would come, people would gather around and see it." He said he was "a little late getting down to see that fire" and missed the dashes by men of the church inside the flaming building, removing benches and church records, most of which were saved. "Of course there was a lot of regret and all, but they (the Methodists) just went right back to building a new one (church)," he said. He reflected on the days when life was hard, when "There wasn't any banks because there wasn't anything to put in them." He talked of "the good communities we used to have in the old days," and of his father, who enlisted under the Rebel flag as a 16-year-old in the waning days of the Civil War. And then, reflecting on the church fire in the scheme of his life, he said, "Sometimes these things don't seem so important in time. It makes it hard to remember them."
        Mrs. E. A. (Ellaree Dean) Speer wrote 10 Jan 1992: Anyway, years ago, Uncle [Joseph Al]Bert[us] and Uncle Will worked in Talledaga, Ala. about 20 or 25 miles from Ashland - one was at the deaf and dumb institute, the other at the blind - I don't remember Uncle Will saying what they did but I think [it was] office [work] perhaps keeping books - That's what Uncle Bert did when he went to Hackneyville to work for Uncle [James] Olin [Griffin].... Uncle Will worked for an Insurance Co. in Ashland, had office in 1st Nat'l Bank. The Insurance Co. was a B'ham headquarters, a Mr. Albert Lee Smith stayed in Ashland (boarded at our house) & taught Uncle Will the Insurance business.... He [George William Griffin] went to Washington, D.C. Aunt Tomera's brother, Curtis Handley, had the Ford-Lincoln dealership in Washington & wanted Uncle Will as a salesman.... They lived in Washington until World War II - all making of cars was frozen. He [Will] came back to Lineville - The Handley home was just being rented, Mr. & Mrs. Handley had both died & they moved back, no job but no house rent & a little acreage - they had a garden, a big potato patch - Uncle Will worked in it & had the biggest tomatoes & most vegetables.... Last years of Uncle Will's life, he sold gas heating - installed big tanks in yard...
        The following is from an unknown source: Mr. Will Griffin Honored On 90th Birthday Mr. and Mrs. Emyl Griffin and family hosted a most enjoyable birthday dinner in their home for their uncle, Mr. Will Griffin, on Sunday, June 4. Mr. Griffin was celebrating his 90th birthday. He was one of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Griffin, who lived in the Good Hope community at the time of his birth. He has a brother and a sister who join him in reaching the Golden Age--Miss Maude Griffin of Lineville age 88 and Mr. J. A. Griffin of Sylacauga age 92. Mr. Griffin was married to Miss Tomera Leslie Handley of this area on June 5, 1919. They have lived in and around Clay County most of the time with the exception of 19 years in Washington, D.C. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Griffin was in business here in Lineville. He has been a very active member of the Lineville Baptist Church and continues to support its many activities and needs. Those who joined in the delicious dinner and birthday celebration were: Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Griffin, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Minter Humphries, Sylacauga; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Griffin, Birmingham; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farned, Russellville; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Rice, Wedowee; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lee, Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Wallace and family, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Morris, Anniston; Mr. and Mrs. Edd [William Edmond] Samuels and family, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis W. Handley, Jr., and family, LaGrange, Georgia; Reverend and Mrs. Charles Handley and family, College Park, Georgia; Mrs. Lorin Reeves, Miss Minnie Reeves, Reverend and Mrs. John L. Higdon, Reverend and Mrs. G. L. Armstrong, Mrs. Mildred Kerley, Mr. Earl Reeves, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Reeves and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. DeVaughn, Mr. and Mrs. George Mendenhall, Mr. Steve Robertson of Lineville.
        The following is from the 4 Jun 1972 Bulletin of the Line Baptist Church: Mr. Will Griffin It is unusual to have a man ninety years old in your congregation. It is also unusual to have a man ninety years old to mow the lawn and work with the shrubbery at the church. It is also unusual to have a man ninety years old to donate thirty-six Broadman Hymnal Jr. to the church. Just imagine a man ninety years old still interested in juniors. That is our Mr. Will Griffin. He is celebrating his 90th birthday today. The children are going to sing him a song out of the song books he gave to them. We congratulate Mr. Will on this grand occasion. But, most of all, we congratulate him on his Christian way of living, his pleasant outlook on life, and his service to his Lord and Savior and His Church. It would be good to have many like Mr. Will Griffin.
        The following article is from an unknown source: MR. WILL GRIFFIN RECEIVES CHURCH HONOR Mr. Will Griffin, age 92, was honored during church service on Sunday, January 20th, for his faithful and untiring service as a dedicated Christian and concerned member for the care and well- being of the church building and grounds. Deacon Jack Zorn, gave a brief history of Mr. Griffin, relating the many achievements throughout his life, with the most important, a Christian background, beginning at Good Hope Baptist Church, and his baptism in Mrs. Stevens fish pond. Mrs. Rachel Parker also gave a brief account of the many attributes of Mr. Griffin in his church work and what he means to the church and its progress. Mrs. Griffin was also recognized for her faithful Christian service.
        In a 13 Apr 1977 letter, Mrs. E. A. (Ellaree Dean) Speer wrote that she had visited George William Griffin and found that "Uncle Will seemed cheerful but really isn't too well - vision so bad & nothing can be done for his eyes... seemed happy to see us." In a 10 Jun 1978 letter, Ellaree noted that "Uncle Will has been in Hospital twice since Xmas - hernia & recently a skin cancer on ear." Mrs. G. W. (Elaine DeVaughn) Mendenhall wrote in a 28 Feb 1979 letter that "Uncle Will is now hospitalized in Anniston hospital. It was found the cancer had scattered to at least two obvious areas -- mouth and throat.... In spite of the anxiety of the problem, his thinking is clear and his reasoning logical." Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee added in a 24 Feb 1979 letter that Will's doctor "seemed to think smoking could have caused Uncle Will's problem. I don't think that he smoked much the last few years but was always a big cigar smoker." The following obituary is from an unknown source: Griffin LINEVILLE -- Services for Will Griffin, 96, of Lineville were today [3:00 p.m. 4 Jun 1979] at First Baptist Church of Lineville with the Rev. Wayne A. Stevens, the Rev. Earnest Smotherman and the Rev. Charles Handley officiating. Burial was in Lineville City Cemetery with Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville in charge. Mr. Griffin died Sunday at his residence after a long illness. Survivors include 25 nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Jesse McCollum, Harlon Mayall, James A. Jordan, Don Hogan, Harold Paker and Jack Whatley. Honorary pallbearers were the fellowship Bible class, deacons and trustees of First Baptist Church of Lineville. Mr. Griffin was a native of Clay County and had lived in Washington, D.C., and Talladega before returning to Lineville 34 years ago. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Lineville, the fellowship Bible class and Baptist Men's Brotherhood. He served as trustee for the church and was a former member of Lineville Town Council. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Lineville building fund.
        The Lineville Baptist Church established the Will Griffin Memorial Fund with the Baptist Foundation of Alabama. The Foundation is the trust agency of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and manages and invests the funds placed with it by the church and will remit the earnings to the church to be used as determined by the church.

• Last Edited: 20 Dec 2012

Tomera Leslie Handley

• Father: John Thomas Handley b. 22 Nov 1855, d. 5 Nov 1951
• Mother: Laura Ann Brooks b. 23 Jan 1861, d. 23 Mar 1939

• Birth*: 28 September 1889; Hatchett Creek, Clay Co., Alabama
• Marriage*: 5 June 1919; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama; Groom=George William Griffin
• Married Name: 5 June 1919; Griffin
• Death*: 31 March 1979; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
• Burial*: 2 April 1979; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama¹
• Biography*: The following article about the Griffin's 58th wedding anniversary is from an unknown source: Mr. And Mrs. G. W. Griffin Have Double Celebration Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Griffin had a double celebration on Sunday, June 5, 1977, from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. A tea honoring Mr. Griffin on his 95th birthday and honoring both of them on their 58th wedding anniversary was held at the home of their nephew, Mr. Emyl Griffin. To begin the celebration, the Rev. Wayne Stevens, pastor of Lineville Baptist Church, spoke briefly, making appropriate remarks complimenting Mr. and Mrs. Griffin on their long life together and Mr. Griffin on his 95th birthday. He closed his remarks with a prayer of thanksgiving. Mayor Jack Whatley presented a year's Honorary Mayor of Lineville Certificate to Mr. Griffin, and he also presented Mr. Griffin with an honorary Lieutenant Colonel Commission in the Alabama Militia, bestowed by Gov. George C. Wallace. Mr. Griffin received congratulations from Gov. Wallace and from President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter. These were read before the group. Approximately 160 friends and relatives called during the afternoon to congratulate the couple and to wish for them many happy returns.
        In a 23 Feb 1980 letter, Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee wrote: Aunt Tomera was a Methodist and Uncle Will was a Baptist. They both went to their own church in morning services but at night they would take turns going with the other every other Sun, one Sun. to the Baptist, the next to the Methodist.
        In a 10 Jun 1978 letter, Ellaree added "Aunt Tomera in hospital a week in Ashland, slight stroke. She has hardening of arteries & isn't well but up all the time." In a 10 Jan 1992 letter Ellaree wrote that "Aunt Tomera died of Alzheimer's." The following obituary is from an unknown source: Mrs. Tomera Griffin, 89 Mrs. Tomera H. Griffin, age 89, of Lineville, Alabama, passed away at the Clay County Hospital Saturday, March 31, 1979 after a short illness. Funeral services for Mrs. Griffin were at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 2, 1979 at the First United Methodist Church of Lineville with the Rev. Ernest Smotherman, the Rev. Wayne Stevens and the Rev. Charles Handley officiating. Burial was in the Lineville City Cemetery. Mrs. Griffin is survived by her husband, Mr. Will Griffin, and a host of nieces and nephews. Active pallbearers for Mrs. Griffin were Grover Rice, Clyde Stewart. Harold Parker, Jesse McCollum, Frank Summerlin and Harlon Mayall. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Fellowship Bible Class of Lineville Baptist Church and the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church of Lineville. Mrs. Griffin was a native of Clay County, but she had lived in Washington, D.C. and Talladega before moving to Lineville in 1946. She was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Lineville, a charter member of the Inter Se Club of Lineville, member of the WSCS of the Methodist Church and a member of the Bridge Club of Lineville. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Building Fund of the First United Methodist Church In Lineville. Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville was in charge of the arrangements.
        In a July 1979 letter, Mrs. E. A. (Ellaree Dean) Speer noted that a window of the Lineville church was dedicated in memory of Tomera.

• Last Edited: 20 Sep 2008

Mattie Maude Griffin

• Father: William Henry Griffin b. 20 Oct 1847, d. 21 Feb 1924
• Mother: Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper b. 13 Apr 1848, d. 29 Nov 1947

• Charts: Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Name-Comm: Maude Griffin
• Birth*: 13 April 1884; Good Hope (near Lineville), Clay Co., Alabama
• Employment*: teacher||
• (Witness) Census 1900: 1 June 1900; Lineville, Clay Co., AL; head of family=William Henry Griffin¹
• Photographed*: say 1905; Lineville, Clay Co., AL²
  

  Mattie Maude Griffin
• (Daughter) Photographed: say 1920; Clay Co., AL; Principal=William Henry Griffin, Principal=Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper³
  

  W. H. & Clarissa Griffin with Maude & Will
• Death*: 28 April 1977; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
• Burial*: 30 April 1977; Old Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama⁴
• Biography*: Mattie Maude was named for her aunts, Martha (Culpepper) Amsler and Mattie (Griffin) Reeves. Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee wrote in a 26 Nov 1978 letter about a visit with Alsie Rutland in LaGrange, GA who spoke about Maude Griffin: Alsie told us Aunt Maude used to teach school at Standing Rock [Chambers Co., AL] and she taught him, said she was very strict, but said he learned more under her than any teacher he ever had. He said she was a beautiful girl.
        In a 10 Jan 1992 letter Mrs. E. A. (Ellaree Dean) Speer wrote: Aunt Maude taught school, mostly county schools & when she wasn't teaching she stayed home & helped Grandmother with the housework & did a lot of needle fancy work - later years lived in a nursing home in Lineville & died there - She had a bad back & was drawn considerably - probably arthritis.
        On Maude's 93rd birthday, Mrs. E. A. (Ellaree Dean) Speer visited her at the nursing home where she had stayed for 20 years and found her thin and suffering from gangrene in her toes but with a clear mind. Maude died two weeks later. The following obituary is from The Ashland Progress for Thursday 5 May 1977: Miss Maude Griffin, 93 Miss Maude Griffin, age 93, of Lineville, Alabama passed at the Lineville Geriatric Center Thursday, April 28, 1977, after an extended illness. Funeral services for Miss Griffin were held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 1977 at Benefield Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Stevens and the Rev. Dee Hurst officiating. Burial was in the Old Lineville City Cemetery. Miss Griffin is survived by 2 brothers, Mr. Burt Griffin of Sylacauga and Mr. Will Griffin of Lineville and a host of nieces and nephews. Miss Griffin was a native of Clay County, a retired school teacher and homemaker and a member of Good Hope Lineville Baptist Church. Pallbearers for Miss Griffin were Earl Reeves, Joe Griffin, Emyl Griffin, John W. DeVaughn, James Griffin and Louis Griffin. Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville was in charge of the funeral arrangements.
  Eloise Samuels adds, in a 2010 e-mail, that "I really do not know anything else to add about Aunt Maude. I only remember the angelic attributes she always displayed around us. Everyone loved her and we respected her knowledge as an educator and outstanding tenacious spirit. She allowed Elaine and me to read in her library each time we visited, which we loved. Also, she taught us how to make many recipes, especially desserts. She made a great impact on both Elaine and my lives in a positive way."
  
• (Witness) Note: 3 June 2010; From: Eloise [mailto:eloisesamuels@centurytel.net]
  Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 8:58 AM
  
  Dear Lew,
  Yes, I remember all about the house and surrounding property, including the barn, old garage for Aunt Maude's buggy, storage house and smoke house and best of all a "double seat out- house"!!!!
  This will take awhile for me to describe, but I will be happy to share my precious memories. We were there once each week as long as she lived and yes, I remember Aunt Lelia WELL. She was an excellent cook and always had the best "tea cakes" you've ever tasted. Aunt Maude was a great cook as well. Elaine and I always looked forward to the summers because we enjoyed an entire week at their sweet modest little home. Aunt Lelia planted a huge garden and their fruit trees were bountiful, which she allowed us to participate in preserving everything available. Her peaches, apples, pears and grapes were the best......oh, and the many fig bushes, plus the mouth-watering strawberries! Just for the sake of keeping an oddity, they had two Quince trees across the winding little dirt road. Flowers, for every season, adorned the entire place and especially around the house. The front yard was small and practically in the road with a tiny little mailbox surrounded by petunias. The back yard was well groomed by the hands of Aunt Lelia who meticulously swept it weekly with a broom made of oak limbs.If a sprig of grass were detected, a sharp- blade- hoe took care of it immediately . Now you must remember that the standard attire for all three ladies was long skirts, as well as long underskirts, long sleeves (usually dresses were always made by the same pattern with white collars), long black stockings and black low heel shoes. All clothes, table cloths, napkins, scarves and curtains were heavily starched with Grandmother's homemadeconcoction of ingredients. Spotless was an understatement for the interior as well as exterior.
  
  As for thestructural appearance, it was a unique OLD house built with hard pine wood. Everyone parked in the back yard and the main entrance was the back door. Approaching the door, one 's eyes were captured by the manually dug well on the back porch and conveniently located to do the family laundry (each Monday morning and you have already envisioned the wire clothes line near the house) The house faced north and south and on the east side, there was a large room that extended the length of the house with small high windows. This was Grandmother and Aunt Lelia's room , which actually would accommodate four people. Each bed was neatly covered with white chenille bedspreads. Aunt Maude's room was on the front side of the house joining a small living room, which we referredto as her library. Having taught school for many years, she had accumulated numerous children's books that Elaine and I were allowed to sit quietly and properly to read. When entering the house by rear entrance, after passing the porch, the aroma from the kitchendirected your nose to the next room, which was the dining room and "sitting room" for everyone. The extended dining room table seated six and even eight on occasions. A huge fireplace was located in this room and Grandmother's old leather and oak trimmed chair occupied the corner by the fireplace. Since she could not hear well at all, plus blind in one eye, we each knew our seating arrangement near her, which was a circlein the following order: Mama sat first, Elaine second, Eloise third, Daddy fourth, Aunt Lelia fifth and Aunt Maude sixth unless she was in her room preparing for school. We sat very quietly, listened carefully and knelt at her chair if she were speaking directly. She and Mama were excellent seamstresses and Grandmother wanted to feel and make every effort to examine our clothes. Unlimited respect was shared between her and my Daddy because both were "business-minded and honorable." Aunt Lelia was lots of fun and always gave us tea cakes wrapped in a starched white cloth as we were leaving....
  Love to you,
  Eloise
  
  
  
  
  ; Principal=Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper

• Last Edited: 20 Dec 2012

Myrtle Leslie Griffin

• Father: William Henry Griffin b. 20 Oct 1847, d. 21 Feb 1924
• Mother: Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper b. 13 Apr 1848, d. 29 Nov 1947

• Charts: Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Birth*: 3 November 1886; Good Hope (near Lineville), Clay Co., Alabama
• (Witness) Census 1900: 1 June 1900; Lineville, Clay Co., AL; head of family=William Henry Griffin¹
• Photographed*: say 1904; Lineville, Clay Co., AL²
  

  Myrtle Leslie (Griffin) Whatley
• Marriage*: 22 February 1904; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama; Groom=Robert Charles Whatley
• Married Name: 22 February 1904; Whatley
• Death*: 14 March 1959; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama
• Burial*: 16 March 1959; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama³
• Biography*: A nephew, James M. Griffin, recalled that Myrtle had blue eyes. A daughter, Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee wrote 14 Oct 1978: My mother was a lovely, remarkable person, very out going, bubbling personality, and was young at heart along with us children and was a proud person with dignity. She worked very hard for all of us and her memories are with me forever. She had so much patience with us all.
        Margaret Lee added in a 6 Feb 1979 letter: All those [Griffin] boys made over my mamma lots, she was the baby. They would all have such fun when they would come for a visit. My mamma was full of life, she would always cook their favorite dishes when they would come. All those Griffin girls were great cooks. Uncle [James] Olin [Griffin] used to just love my mamma's sweet potato plate pies and also cobbler pies. I can just see Uncle Olin sitting on the front porch in the summer, they would laugh & cut up and talk about younger days.
        In a 27 Sep 1979 letter Margaret Lee wrote: Yes, I knew the fortune teller that used to live in Mellow Valley. Her name was Mrs. Till.... She was one of the most famous fortune tellers that's ever been in the South. She was kindly like that Mrs. Dixon you hear so much about. I never believed in her too much but my mother did. Mother went to her several times. She believed every word she [Mrs. Till] said. Mrs. Till started with coffee grounds. She could tell you all right how many children you had, she told me my husband was away from home & he was on water. He was in the Navy & on water. She told Mama her son had 2 hound dogs & you can't stand those dogs but that boy loves them dogs and told Mother to be nice to him about the dogs and we sure didn't hear any more about the dogs out of Mother (Ha!). Daddy didn't believe in her and really rather Mother didn't go but she went anyway. Mrs. Till made a lot of money but you would never know it by the way she lived.
        In an 8 Feb 1979 letter, Margaret Lee wrote that her mother had died of bone marrow cancer. In a 5 Mar 1979 letter, Margaret Lee added that her parents "are buried in the new [Lineville] City Cem... east of town...."

• Last Edited: 20 Dec 2012

Robert Charles Whatley

• Father: Solomon Whatley b. 7 Apr 1855, d. 20 Jan 1927
• Mother: Sarah Ann (?) b. 7 Apr 1857, d. 27 Aug 1952

• Birth*: 3 December 1883
• Marriage*: 22 February 1904; Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama; Bride=Myrtle Leslie Griffin
• Death*: 10 July 1969; Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama
• Burial*: 12 July 1969; Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama¹
• Biography*: Robert Whatley was listed in an entry for his brother-in-law, James O. Griffin, on p. 253 of Vol. 2 of the 1927 edition of the History of Alabama and her People published by the American Historical Society, Inc. as "a farmer at Lineville [Clay Co., AL]...." A daughter, Mrs. Charles (Margaret Whatley) Lee, wrote in a 14 Oct 1978 letter: My daddy was a fine man. He was an outdoor man. He stood by us all through all our ups & downs. He worked away from home lots when younger. He had a big 8 horse team he used on construction work, move gas tanks, etc. as there were no trucks then. He usually kept a lot of livestock, cattle & horses. We used to ride horseback a lot. He also was in the logging business a long time and ran a farm too. He was kind to us and he too had a wonderful personality.
        In an 18 Nov 1978 letter, Margaret (Whatley) Lee wrote about the team of horses her father had: You should have seen the beautiful harness he bought, brass, red tassels on the bridles and fancy saddles. It was his pride & joy like cars & trucks are to men now. What he hauled the big tanks on wasn't like a regular wagon. The rig was called a dray.... The wheels & body were much larger than a two horse wagon.
        Mrs. Lee added in a 13 Jan 1979 letter: Daddy used to have to get up many nights to pull someone out of a mud hole when they would get stuck, before the streets were paved. They would pay him for it.
        Margaret Lee continued in a 3 Jan 1979 letter: In fact, half the kids in town came to daddy's place. He had a large pasture with a nice creek and hillside with lots of pine straw to slide down. The boys would build a dam and we would all go swimming as there were no public swimming pools.

• Last Edited: 18 Oct 2007

Herman Milton Griffin

• Father: William Henry Griffin b. 20 Oct 1847, d. 21 Feb 1924
• Mother: Clarissa Eugenia Culpepper b. 13 Apr 1848, d. 29 Nov 1947

• Charts: Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Birth*: 12 February 1889; Good Hope (near Lineville), Clay Co., Alabama
• Death*: 3 June 1890; Clay Co., Alabama
• Burial*: Old Lineville City Cemetery, Lineville, Clay Co., Alabama¹
• Biography*: On p. 217 of the Cemeteries of Clay County, Alabama the name on the tombstone is recorded as "Hermon Griffin inf son of W.H. & C.E."

• Last Edited: 12 Jul 2006

Mary Erom Griffin

• Father: James Olin Griffin b. 30 Jan 1871, d. 31 Jul 1953
• Mother: Minnie Dallas Strickland b. 26 Oct 1877, d. 19 Jun 1950

• Charts: Cohron Descendants, Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Stewart Descendants, Strickland Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Nickname: Sister Griffin
• Birth*: 9 January 1902; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Employment*: teacher||
• Census*: 1910; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Marriage*: 9 June 1925; Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama; Groom=Hester Marion Lewis
• Married Name: 9 June 1925; Lewis
• Photographed*: circa 1940; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; Erom is sitting in the center. From left to right around her are Marie, Frances, Ruth, Clarice, and Louise.; Sister=Ruth Valentine Griffin, Sister=Sarah Louise Griffin, Sister=Julia Clarice Griffin, Sister=Minnie Frances Griffin, Sister=Olga Marie Griffin¹
  

  Olin Griffin's daughters
• Death*: 21 April 1966; Quitman, Brooks Co., Georgia
• Burial*: 23 April 1966; Oak Hill Cemetery, Brooks Co., Georgia
• Biography*: Erom was named from a misprint in the newspaper. Her daughter, Mary R. Lewis, wrote in a 29 Dec 1990 letter that "Mother graduated from the Albertville High School. Grandaddy [James O. Griffin] sent her there as a boarder for her senior year because he wanted her to have a good college preparatory course.... Herbert Weatherly was her boyfriend." Erom was a Graduate in Piano. The following is the yearbook entry: Erom Griffin, Hackneyville, Ala. Classical Course "Topsy" Morgan Sec'y Society '17 Member of Y.W.C.A. "Topsy," the baby of our class has only been with us since September, but her sweet and generous disposition has won for her the love and admiration of all. She's ever ready with a smile, to put down any blues that might be lurking. In the school room she is very studious but when out she is ever into mischief and is especially fond of Kodaking on Sunday afternoons when the "Weather"ly permits. But oh those teachers! "O! t-h-a-n-k y-o-u"
        Although her three children were born in a Montgomery, AL hospital, Mary Erom and H. M. Lewis were living in Wetumpka, Elmore Co, AL at the time. The following obituary is from an unknown source: Beloved Teacher Mrs. H. M. Lewis Dies Mrs. Mary Erom Griffin Lewis, wife of H. M. Lewis of Quitman, died on April 21st after a prolonged illness. Mrs. Lewis, a former STAR Teacher and a beloved member of Brooks County High School's faculty until illness caused her to retire last year, taught Latin and English and was advisor to the Latin Club. It was Mrs. Lewis who originated the "Latin Day Banquet" one of the high points of the spring schedule at the high school. She was a graduate of Judson College, Marion, Ala., and prior to her marriage taught in Elmore and Coffee counties, Ala. Mrs. Lewis, who was born in Hackneyville, Ala., on January 9, 1902, was the daughter of James Olin Griffin and Minnie Strickland Griffin. She came to Brooks County in 1945 with her husband, Hester Marion Lewis when Mr. Lewis became associated with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service.
  She was a manager of the First Baptist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, National honorary teachers fraternity and STAR teacher in 1956-57 at the Quitman High School. Surviving are her Husband and two daughters, Mrs. M. Royce Gordon of Macon, and Miss Mary Lewis, of Tallahassee, Fla. She leaves two Grandchildren, David and Elizabeth Gordon of Macon. Mrs. Lewis leaves five sisters, Miss Ruth Griffin and Mrs. R. W. Vaughn of Memphis, Tenn,; Mrs. W. T. Duscoe, Union City, Tenn; Mrs. Hez Brown of Chattanooga, and Mrs. C. W. Middlecoff, Jr. of Somerville, Tenn. Three brothers survive, Mr. J. W. Griffin and Mr. L. W. Griffin of Leeds Ala., and Mr. James Griffin of Memphis, Tenn. Funeral Services were held at the First Baptist Church in Quitman on April 23rd at 4:00 p.m. Rev. William J. Smith, Pastor, conducted the services assisted by Rev. C. E. Cariker. The family requested that in lieu of flowers those who desire to do so may make contributions to Mrs. H. M. Lewis' Scholarship Fund to be awarded to Brooks County High School Seniors. Checks should be made payable to Mrs. H. M. Lewis' Scholarship Fund and forwarded to Mr. J. R. Austin, Box 255, Quitman, Georgia. Active Pallbearers were Joe Austion Wayme Jones, George Currei, Leland Jordan, Cecil Baker, and Dr. J. C. McGoogan. Honorary Pallbearers were J. H. Wells , V. C. McGinty, V.A. Maxwell, T. J. Barrs, Jr., Frank Benson, Burney Humphreys, B. H. Romine, Jesse Hampton, Lawton Lee, L. C. Spears, Dr. L. M. Shealy, Dan Mitchell, Felton Griner, Drawdy Willis, and W. E. Roberts. Entombment, Oak Hill Cemetery. Maxwell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
  
  The following is from her daughter, Dr. Mary R. Lewis, 24 Jul 2004:
  
  My mother loved teaching school. Yes, you remembered correctly that she was a high school teacher and taught mainly English and Latin. She was a graduate of Judson College in Marion, AL. Grandaddy told her what to major in...Latin. Also, he ordered her to learn to play the violin, an instrument that he loved. He had been given quite a good one by a patient who could not pay with money and paid with the violin, so he sent it with Mother off to Judson where he wanted her to learn to play it. She preferred to play the piano, and did continue to study that too, but she dutifully learned to play the violin. When we lived in Marion, AL, 1935-38, she played violin in the Judson College Symphony Orchestra. Well, I've gotten off the subject, but you might appreciate these tales.
  
  When she graduated from Judson College in 1921 (aged 19), I believe that she first worked as a tutor, that is, a private teacher of the children of some wealthy individuals who lived in a small AL town and she lived in their home while being the teacher. I'm not sure whether it was Enterprise or Eclectic. I think that after one year of that, she moved into public school teaching.
  
  She was teaching in Eclectic, AL when she met my Dad who courted her a rather long time before winning her hand. Here's another aside tale...about how they met. Daddy was the County Agent in Elmore County, working for the Alabama Extension Service (you know what that is, don't you?). One day when he was in Eclectic, he saw Mother walking on a downtown street and thought she was very attractive and asked someone who she was. Upon learning that she taught at the local high school, he arranged a proper introduction by the School Principal, and then asked her if she would help him organize the 4H Club there in the high school.
  
  Well, at that time in AL history, the state did not allow married women to teach school. So when they got married, she had to give up her teaching career. That law remained in effect a long time and it wasn't until 1943, when we moved to Augusta, GA that she started teaching again, across the river in South Augusta, SC. I think the rules about prohibiting married women from teaching tumbled down everywhere during World War II when women were needed to do many things in the labor force while the men went to fight the war.
  
  Mother taught for the rest of her life after resuming in 1943, specializing in Latin and English in high school. She loved to organize the Latin Club and loved going to her Teachers' Honorary Professional Sorority (Society?) with her friends. The meetings were held in Valdosta, GA, about 15 miles from Quitman.
  

• Last Edited: 11 Apr 2009

Hester Marion Lewis

• Birth*: 6 August 1893; West Blocton Rt, Bibb Co., Alabama
• Marriage*: 9 June 1925; Moulton, Lawrence Co., Alabama; Bride=Mary Erom Griffin
• Death*: April 1982; Quitman, Brooks Co., Georgia
• Biography*: According to the obituary for his wife, Mrs. H. M. (Mary Erom Griffin) Lewis, Hester Marion Lewis was "associated with the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. After Erom's death, Hester M. Lewis remarried and the following is from p. 3 of THE QUITMAN FREE PRESS Thursday, 24 Jun 1971: Poplin-Lewis Wedding Mrs. Thomas William Poplin became the bride of Mr. Hester Marion Lewis on June 19 in an afternoon ceremony at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Royce Gordon on Woodland Drive in Macon, Ga. Mrs Gordon is the elder daughter of the groom. The bride wore an aqua organza ensemble with aqua accessories. Her corsage was a purple throated white orchid. The matron of honor, Mrs. William Thomas Stanfield of Norcross, Ga., elder daughter of the bride, wore a lemon yellow crepe dress with a corsage of yellow and white carnations. Mr. Royce Gordon attended the groom. The double - ring ceremony was performed by Rev. Gerald Brown, Associate Pastor and Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Macon. Elizabeth Gordon, granddaughter of the groom, was the pianist. The processional was Arioso in A by Johann Sebastion Bach. The recessional was Chopin's Prelude, Opus 28, No, 1. The bride's table was covered with a cloth of white madeira, two three- branched candelabra and epergnes held bouquets of mixed summer flowers. The two-tiered wedding cake highlighted by two white doves and tiny gold rings was cut by Mrs. Benjamin Robert Morrison of Wilmington, N.C., younger daughter of the bride. Punch was served by Miss Mary Lewis of Wayne, Pa., younger daughter of the groom. Guests included the families of the couple.

• Last Edited: 5 Aug 2000

Joseph Wyeth Griffin

• Father: James Olin Griffin b. 30 Jan 1871, d. 31 Jul 1953
• Mother: Minnie Dallas Strickland b. 26 Oct 1877, d. 19 Jun 1950

• Charts: Cohron Descendants, Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Stewart Descendants, Strickland Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Name-Comm: Wyeth Griffin
• Nickname: Skip Griffin
• Birth*: 6 March 1904; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Census*: 1910; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Marriage*: 17 October 1929; Leeds, Jefferson Co., Alabama; Bride=Julia Judge
• Photographed*: circa 1940; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; Brother=James Maurice Griffin, Brother=Lewis Wyman Griffin¹
  

  Joseph Wyeth, James Maurice, & Lewis Wyman Griffin
• Death*: 2 September 1969; Birmingham, Jefferson Co., Alabama
• Burial*: 3 September 1969; Shiloh Cemetery, Leeds, Jefferson Co., Alabama
• Biography*: Joseph Wyeth Griffin's middle name was in honor of Dr. John Allan Wyeth, a prominent Alabama physician involved with the eradication of yellow fever.
  
  Leeds leader, J. W. Griffin, buried today A Leeds community leader, 65-year-old Joseph Wyeth Griffin, was buried today with graveside services at Shiloh Cemetery, Griffin was past president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Leeds Water Works Board for 25 years. He served with both the Leeds and the Jefferson County zoning board, and was Leeds city clerk for several years. A native of Tallapoosa County, Griffin was a director of Birmingham Federal Savings & Loan Association, charter member of the Leeds Civitan Club and president of Leeds Insurance Agency. Survivors include his wife, Julia Judge Griffin; a daughter, Mrs. W. H. Cooper III, Gulf Breeze, Fla.; a son, James J. Griffin, Atlanta; five sisters, Miss Ruth Griffin, Mrs. C. M. Middlecoff and Mrs. Ralph Vaughn, all of Memphis, Mrs. Hez Brown, Chattanooga, and Mrs. Tom Duscoe, Union City, Tenn.; and two brothers, Lewis W. and James M. Griffin, both of Memphis. The family suggests that any memorial contributions may be made in the form of contributions to the Lurleen Wallace Courage Crusade or to another charity.
  
        The following obituary is from an unknown source: DEATH COMES TO "SKIP" LEEDS LEADER Joseph Wyeth 'Skip' Griffin is dead. The popular and well known Leeds resident died Tuesday shortly after noon at a Birmingham hospital. He was 65 years old. He died after a lengthy illness. He had left Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, several days ago, was thought to have been on the road to recovery until last week when he re-entered the Birmingham hospital. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at Shiloh Cemetery. Rev. Curtis Gannaway officiated and Kilgroe Funeral Home directed. "Skip" Griffin as he was well known to thousands of friends and acquaintances came to Leeds from his native Tallapoosa county early in life. He went to work for his future father-in-law the late Mr. Tom Judge, later was in the insurance and real estate business for himself where he was remarkably successful. He was a civic and business leader in Leeds where he had served as President the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, a Director of the Birmingham Federal Savings and Loan Association, Chairman Leeds Water Works Board for 25 years, past president Leeds Civitans, past member Leeds Zoning Board and Jefferson County Zoning Board, was a charter member Terry Walker Country Club which he served as president. He was for many years owner, operator and president Leeds Insurance Agency and a realtor. He was a member the Leeds Presbyterian church. Survivors are his wife, the former Miss Julia Judge; a son James Judge Griffin, Atlanta; a daughter, Mrs. W. H. Cooper III, Gulf Breeze, Fla.; five grandchildren; five sisters, Miss Ruth Griffin, Mrs. C. M. Middlecoff, Mrs. Ralph Vaughn, all of Memphis, Mrs. Hez Brown Chattanooga, & Mrs. Tom Duscoe, Union City, Tenn.; and two brothers, Lewis W. Griffin and James M. Griffin, Memphis.

• Last Edited: 18 Mar 2009

Julia Judge

• Birth*: 1 July 1906
• Marriage*: 17 October 1929; Leeds, Jefferson Co., Alabama; Groom=Joseph Wyeth Griffin
• Married Name: 17 October 1929; Griffin
• Death*: 17 May 1991; Magnolia Springs, Baldwin Co., Alabama
• Burial*: Shiloh Cemetery, Leeds, Jefferson Co., Alabama
• Biography*: Mrs. E. A. (Ellaree Dean) Speer wrote in a 4 Aug 1991 letter that "Julia Griffin, Wyeth's widow, died this summer. She was living in Fla."

• Last Edited: 9 Jul 1999

Ruth Valentine Griffin

• Father: James Olin Griffin b. 30 Jan 1871, d. 31 Jul 1953
• Mother: Minnie Dallas Strickland b. 26 Oct 1877, d. 19 Jun 1950

• Charts: Cohron Descendants, Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Stewart Descendants, Strickland Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Birth*: 14 February 1906; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Census*: 1910; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Misc*: 29 September 1919; Goodwater, Coosa Co, AL¹
  

  Acrostic from her great uncle Joseph R. Culpepper
• Photographed: say 1923²
  

  Ruth V. Griffin
• Photographed: 1924; Marion, Perry Co, AL; This is from the 1924 Judson College Conversationalist, the annual college yearbook.³
  

  Ruth V. Griffin
• Photographed: 1925; Montevallo, Shelby Co., Alabama; This is from the 1925 Technala, the yearbook of Alabama College in Montevallo, AL, now known as Montevallo College. Ruth was a Junior that year.³
  

  Ruth V. Griffin, Junior at Montevallo
• Photographed: 1927; Enterprise, Coffee Co., AL; This is from the 1927 Encoala, the yearbook of Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabaama High School. Ruth was teaching Latin and history.³
  

  Ruth V. Griffin
• Photographed: 1928; Enterprise, Coffee Co., AL; This is from the 1928 Encoala, the yearbook of Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabama High School. Ruth was teaching Latin and history.³
  

  Ruth V. Griffin
• (Sister) Photographed: circa 1940; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; Erom is sitting in the center. From left to right around her are Marie, Frances, Ruth, Clarice, and Louise.; Principal=Mary Erom Griffin⁴
  

  Olin Griffin's daughters
• Photographed*: circa 1962; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; 25th Anniversary at Sears
  

  Ruth V. Griffin
• Death*: 14 January 1996; Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee
• Biography*: In a 31 Jan 1982 letter, Ruth wrote that she and her sister (Erom?) both taught at the Elmore County High School in Enterprise, AL. Ruth also worked in the Catalog Department at Sears Roebuck & Co. for many years.
        Mrs. C. W. (Marie Griffin) Middlecoff wrote in a 13 Feb 1995 letter: Ruth graduated from high school in Eclectic, Ala. Sister [Erom] was teaching there. Ruth stayed with her. Goodwater, Ala. did not have an accredited high school. Then Ruth went to Judson College (Marian, Ala.) for 2 yrs. She changed to Montevallo, which is part of the University of Ala. now. She taught 2 yrs. at Enterprise, Ala., + 3 years at Ozark, Ala. This was during the depression. They payed the teachers in warrants. She quit and came back home to 1245 Central, Memphis, Tenn. She worked in the County Agents office in Wetumpka, Ala. for about 5 yrs. She went back to Memphis and got a job with Sears. Mail order working in the office until she retired in 1971. She lives in the family home in Midtown Memphis.
  
  From her niece, Dr. Mary Ruth Lewis, 24 Jul 2004:
  
  I believe that Ruth did teach school. If I remember correctly, Mother told me that during the Depression, Ruth lived a while with her and Daddy while teaching school. However, the state was not able to pay its teachers that year with money, only scrip which must have been virtually worthless, or certainly not a living wage. Ruth had majored in history in College (She went for 2 years to Judson, and the final 2 years to Ala. Women's College in Montevallo)and I think that's what she taught. However, she soon decided to go home to live with Grandad and Grandmother and took employment with Sears.

• Last Edited: 31 Mar 2009

James Maurice Griffin

• Father: James Olin Griffin b. 30 Jan 1871, d. 31 Jul 1953
• Mother: Minnie Dallas Strickland b. 26 Oct 1877, d. 19 Jun 1950

• Charts: Cohron Descendants, Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Stewart Descendants, Strickland Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Birth*: 1 June 1913; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• (Brother) Photographed: circa 1940; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; Principal=Joseph Wyeth Griffin¹
  

  Joseph Wyeth, James Maurice, & Lewis Wyman Griffin
• Death*: 29 August 1992; Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee
• Burial*: 1 September 1992; Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee
• Biography*: James wrote in a 14 May 1977 letter that "my middle name is for a doctor." The following is from an unknown source: Southerners Win New Distinctions In Foreign Fields Some Earn Promotions; Others Rewarded for Heroism On Distant Fronts STAFF SERGT. JAMES M. GRIFFIN, son of Dr. and Mrs. J. O. Griffin of 883 Hawthorne, has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorius achievement in battle on Leyte. While sergeant in charge of an alert platoon, "Sergeant Griffin exercised admirable leadership in taking precautions for the safety of the area during a Japanese attack," his citation reads. Sergeant Griffin entered the Army Air Forces in June, 1942, and has been overseas 20 months with a photo intelligence detachment.
       

• Last Edited: 15 Mar 2009

Sarah Louise Griffin

• Father: James Olin Griffin b. 30 Jan 1871, d. 31 Jul 1953
• Mother: Minnie Dallas Strickland b. 26 Oct 1877, d. 19 Jun 1950

• Charts: Cohron Descendants, Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Stewart Descendants, Strickland Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Name-Comm: Louise Griffin
• Birth*: 28 October 1908; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Census*: 1910; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Marriage*: 5 April 1931; Hamilton, Marion Co., Alabama; Groom=Ralph Waldo Vaughn
• Married Name: 5 April 1931; Vaughn
• (Sister) Photographed: circa 1940; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; Erom is sitting in the center. From left to right around her are Marie, Frances, Ruth, Clarice, and Louise.; Principal=Mary Erom Griffin¹
  

  Olin Griffin's daughters
• Death*: 24 June 1993; Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Arkansas
• Burial*: say 26 June 1993; Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee
• Biography*: Ralph and Louise lived in Sun City from 1976 until 1990.
  
  From Dr. Mary R. Lewis, 27 Jul 2004:
  
  Louise, a graduate of Alabama College for Womenn at Montevallo, was a successful teacher. Louise taught in a small AL town where she met Ralph. They fell in love and wanted to marry. AL still had the law prohibiting married women from teaching and Louise did not want to give up her job. So they got secretly married during the school year. However, word leaked out and the School Board met to decide what to do about Louise. They decided that she could complete the school year, but she was not allowed to continue after that.
  

• Last Edited: 18 Mar 2009

Ralph Waldo Vaughn

• Birth*: 2 July 1905; Alabama¹
• Marriage*: 5 April 1931; Hamilton, Marion Co., Alabama; Bride=Sarah Louise Griffin
• Death*: 30 May 1997; Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Arkansas^1,2
• Burial*: say 1 June 1997; Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee
• Biography*: Ralph was an electrical engineer.¹

• Last Edited: 6 Dec 2003

Julia Clarice Griffin

• Father: James Olin Griffin b. 30 Jan 1871, d. 31 Jul 1953
• Mother: Minnie Dallas Strickland b. 26 Oct 1877, d. 19 Jun 1950

• Charts: Cohron Descendants, Glenn Descendants, James Griffin I Descendants, Robert Lee Griffin of Clay Descendants, Stewart Descendants, Strickland Descendants, Wise Descendants

• Name-Comm: Clarice Griffin
• Birth*: 2 April 1911; Hackneyville, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama
• Marriage*: 31 December 1936; Forrest City, Saint Francis Co., Arkansas; Groom=William Thomas Duscoe
• Married Name: 31 December 1936; Duscoe
• Residence*: Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee
• (Sister) Photographed: circa 1940; Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; Erom is sitting in the center. From left to right around her are Marie, Frances, Ruth, Clarice, and Louise.; Principal=Mary Erom Griffin¹
  

  Olin Griffin's daughters
• Death*: 19 November 2002²
• Biography*: From her niece, Dr. Mary R. Lewis, 27 Jul 2004:
  
  Clarice decided not to teach before she was married. She had majored in home economics and decided to take a position with Westinghouse (I think) demonstrating their homemaking and household products. This job involved traveling. Some private corporations, including the one where she was employed, had rules that married women could not be employed. As her job involved traveling, she and Duscoe were able to get married secretly and keep the secret until they were ready to start their family. Then she resigned. I'm not sure how old her two boys were when she decided to start teaching, but she had a long career teaching school in Tennessee. I think she taught 5th grade

• Last Edited: 18 Mar 2009

William Thomas Duscoe

• Birth*: 14 October 1910¹
• Marriage*: 31 December 1936; Forrest City, Saint Francis Co., Arkansas; Bride=Julia Clarice Griffin
• Residence*: Union City, Obion Co., Tennessee
• Death*: 27 November 2000; TN¹

• Last Edited: 16 Sep 2007