Donovan Earl Griffin, age 59, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2013. Born in Nash County on July 15, 1954, he was the son of the late Edgar Taylor Griffin Jr. and Geraldine Strong Griffin.
Don loved fishing, the beach, all sports and was an avid Tarheel fan. Don enjoyed watching all Tarheel sports with his buddies. He enjoyed traveling to Wilmington and spending time with his daughter, Catherine and grandchildren, Sydney and Quinn. Don had a special bond with his brother, Ed. Don was a 1972 graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High and attended Lee's McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.
He leaves behind his fianc, Melissa E. Haddock of the home; his daughter, Catherine Griffin King of Wilmington; grandchildren, Sydney and Quinn King of Wilmington; brother Ed Griffin and wife Linda of Rocky Mount; and sister, Margaret Griffin Harrelson of Casselberry FL. He will also be remembered by his nephew, John Harrelson of Winter Park FL; nieces, Greyson Griffin of Nashville, Taylor Griffin of Wilmington and Morgan Harrelson of Casselberry FL; great-nephews, Brandon Griffin of Nashville and Theo Crews of Wilmington; Melissa's sisters, Kathie Yelverton and husband Jim and Alarie Jenkins and husband Will, both of Wilson; and Melissa's brother, Tom Daughtery of Rocky Mount.
A memorial service to remember Don will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the home of Ed and Linda Griffin. A Gathering of Friends will follow the service from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at their home on Greenfield Drive.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Location Not Available
Sunday 7/28, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Sunday 7/28, 2:00 pm
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Loved working with Don for many years at Home Depot. He always called me Sunshine. Prayers to his family….he will surely be missed.
I’m so sorry I won’t be there for the services Sunday. Don was a wonderful guy with a wicked sense of humor! He was great to work with, and I enjoyed his antics at the Home Depot. Falling asleep during the Wednesday meetings was priceless. What a warm soul…my condolences to his family, love and hugs to all. May his memory always live within our hearts.
My long time friend. I’m going to miss you. We shared many a good time. Can’t help but to smile when I think of all our memories that we shared since Jr. High School. Love you man.
I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Don. Certainly he will be missed greatly! Even though I didn’t know Don personally, but I enjoy sharing words of comfort with families who have lost loved ones in death. The bible provides us the comfort(2 Cor 13, 4) that we need to carry on from the Most High God(Ps 8318). He lets us know that The last enemy death will be brought to nothing, (1 Cor 1526) How wonderful it is to know that death will be done away with! Also of great comfort is thinking about the Bible Based Hope of a Resurrection-Acts 2415. Imagine seeing Don again, and being able to spend time with him! May your family have peace and be comforted! Please feel free to email me([emailprotected]) Jamie H.
There are way too many memories of Don to share here..he had a loving heart a great smile and all the girls loved him back in high school! My heart is comforted knowing that he is with his old friends Eddie and Woody cause i know they were waiting with open arms for him. Melissa please call me if you need anything Margaret has my number. Margaret I love you girl you know I’m here for you now and forever.
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Grace & peace to the family in this hard loss. Don was such a sweet guy; I will always remember his laugh & kind heart. Praying for you all during this difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear the news that Don passed away. Please accept my deepest sympathies. I have many happy memories of times with the full Griffin family; staying up late watching Johnny Carson. Compared to our house of girlswomen, a house with boys was an exciting place. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Robin Goff Roper Wake Forest, NC
Great Athlete and a great and loving man. Don will truly be missed by all. Always a warm smile and a kind sincere word. Ed, Margaret and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to contact me. God Bless, Donnie Harrelson
My memories of Don begin when we growing up in RM Wilson Junior High. He was so friendly & smiling that you always wanted to be around him. As kids, we were always running in & out of Ms. Gerry’s house because she was always cooking & giving us something to eat & drink. All the girls wanted to be Don’s girlfriend because he was a great football player at RMSH. He always called me Kirkman as a nickname) Rest well sweet Don. I’ll never forget your smiling face…
Ed and family, I thought the world of Don. When he was a life guard at Oakwood Swimming Pool he used to kick me out of the pool so much that every time we saw one another over the years he would say, Hey you!, and I would respond, Who me, and he’d say, Yeah you, out!. I will miss Don, very, very much. He was a very good man. God bless you, Griffin family.
Grew up here in Rocky Mount and knew Don most of my life.He was a great human being and he has left me with many good memories and good times we had over the years .He was a positive person and i am glad to have known him.
My favorite memory of Don at Home Depot is the rice incident. A co-worker of ours had Chinese take out and left their plate open to answer a phone call. While she was gone, Don asked who’s is this I said Shyla’s He says Oh, well don’t tell her. He grabs her spoon and starts digging in. The rice that doesn’t make it in his mouth is flying everywhere. It’s going over the table, down his apron, back into onto the plate. I’m crying from laughter. He walks away right before she comes back and doesn’t suspect a thing. I couldn’t tell her if I tried. That was so Don. So Funny.
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Don Griffin was a good man with a heck of a sense if humor. I had the pleasure of working with him at The Home Depot and there was never a dull moment with him around. RIP Don. You are in good hands now.
Don was an awesome man and friend! I can’t think of a dull moment when he was arnd me at The Home Depot! His sense of humor could make the most stuck up people smile! I feel lm a better person just for knowing him!
Don was an awesome man and friend! I can’t think of a dull moment when he was arnd me at The Home Depot! His sense of humor could make the most stuck up people smile! I feel lm a better person just for knowing him!
When we lose a loved one to death, grief & the feelings of helplessness can seem unbearable. At such times as these, we need to go to means of faith ,in the merit of Jesus shed blood, that we can gain ; everlasting life.(John 316) The Bible gives Gods word for comfort. (2 Cor. 1 3,4) The Bible helps us to understand how Jehovah & Jesus feel about death. Jesus who perfectly reflected his Father, knew the pain of losing someone in death. (John 149) How did Jesus feel about losing his friend The account tells us that Jesus joined Lazarous relatives & friends as they grieved over this loss. Seeing them, Jesus was deeply moved. He groaned in the spirit & became troubled. Then the account says Jesus gave way to tears. (John 11 33,35) Did Jesus grief mean that he had no hope Not at all, in fact, Jesus knew that something wonderful was about to happen. (John 11 3,4) Still he felt the pain & sorrow that death brings. Jesus did not claim to perform this amazing miracle on his own. In his prayer just before calling out to Lazarus, he made it clear that Jehovah was the source of the resurrection. (John 1141,42)
MISSING YOU MY FRIEND . REST IN PEACE . SHARE SOME TIME WITH MY WIFE
Dearest Margaret, Ed and all of Don’s beloved family, Having known Don since childhood gives me insight to this sweet man. Many happy and fun moments were shared among our families on Sycamore Street, and Don was always there with a quick laugh and twinkle in his eye. He will be missed by all of us who were blessed to have shared a moment in his life. My love and prayers for you, his dear family. Susan and Allan Barker
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Margaret, I’m so sorry to see that Don passed away. He was such a good and funny guy. Remember all your fun times that you shared together to help put a smile on your face during this sad time. ~ Gail
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Thank you Gail – he is smiling at us now.
Susan, thank you for your kind words and love for Don. We did share many good memories with the Stroud and Griffin families -memories that we will carry with us forever. Our love to you, Allan and your family. Margaret
Melissa, I was out of town on vacation when I got the news about Don – I am so sorry. Please know that I love you; Janet and I send our deepest sympathy. Call me at 919-280-1734. I do not have a number for you but would love to visit and talk soon. Love Robert & Janet Sykes
I remember Don with his infectious smile. He was always nice to me and our family on Winstead Rd. I am sorry for your loss. Page Winston and Family
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Lit a candle in memory of Donavan Earl Griffin
Always thinking of you my sweet brother. I love you.
Thinking of you today, missing your sweet face brother. Hugs in heaven to you.
In memory of Donavan Earl Griffin, greyson lit a candle