Joe Berkley Griffin Sr. – 65 – husband, father, farmer and former Martin County Commissioner, passed away at River Trace nursing home in Washington on Sept. 22, 2011, after a long battle with Huntington’s Disease.
Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Charles Blount Griffin, and son Joe “Joey” Berkley Griffin Jr., both of Williamston; daughter Candi Manning, her husband Dr. Steven Manning and grandchildren Berkley and Meredith Manning, all of Jamesville; sister Patricia Pittman and husband Kay, and sister Becki Lilley and husband Butch, all of Williamston; and aunt Margaret Griffin of Williamston, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father, Hugh B. and Edna Williams Griffin, brother Dana, and daughter Meredith Griffin Revels.
Joe was a graduate of Williamston High School, where he lettered in football. He was very involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) club, where he served as president of the Williamston FFA Chapter, as well as vice president for the North Carolina FFA Chapter. Joe received his Associate’s Degree in Applied Agriculture from North Carolina State University in 1966.
Joe spent his entire life tending his family’s farm. He was also the youngest president in the history of Washington’s Federal Land Bank branch. In more recent years, Joe worked as an Animal Health Technician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Joe’s life was spent working in service of his country and community. He served in the U.S. National Guard, was a Boy Scout leader, and for many years served in the Griffin’s Township Fire Department. He was also a proud member of the Farm Life Ruritan Club.
One of Joe’s proudest moments came in 1980, when he was elected to the Martin County Board of Commissioners. During his time as a commissioner, Joe served as the chairman of the Board of Commissioners and as chairman of the Martin County Personnel Committee. He also served on many area boards, including Tideland Mental Health, Martin Community Action and Martin General Hospital.
Joe was a lifelong member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, where he served in the choir, as a Sunday School superintendent, a Deacon, and was a member of the Pulpit Committee.
Visitation will be held from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Piney Grove Baptist Church in Williamston, N.C. Funeral services will be held at Piney Grove on Monday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m.
The family would like to thank everyone in the community for their love and support throughout Joe’s long illness. Your Christian kindness and generosity through the years has truly been a Godsend, time and time again. A special note of thanks to Joe’s personal caregivers Brenda Peele, Barbara Williams, Dorothy Brown, Barbara Biggs and Kim Augburn, who worked so hard to ensure Joe was as comfortable as possible at all times.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to one of the following organizations:
1. The Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Ave., Suite 902, New York, NY 10018
2. Meredith Griffin Revels Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o East Carolina Bank, P.O. Box 1087, Williamston, NC 27892
3. The charity of your choice
For all charities, please write “In memory of Joe B. Griffin” in the memo line of your check.