James "Stevie" Griffin, 76, of Spring Lake, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 13, 2023, with his wife and daughter by his side. He won his eternal victory after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's.
Stevie was born on Aug. 17, 1946, to the late Woodrow and Mattie Butler Griffin. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Runt Griffin, and one sister, Kathy Griffin.
Stevie was a devoted husband, dad, papa, brother, and friend to many. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 59 years, Marie Griffin; daughters, Tammy Griffin Sullivan (Joe) and Tausha Griffin Beard (Harvey, III); grandchildren, Levi Fundakowski (Brooke), Trey Beard, Hunter Beard; great-grandchildren, Carrington, Karsyn, Emily, and Kylee; brothers, Woody Griffin, Jackie Griffin, Donnie Mac Griffin, Rexie Griffin, Bobby Griffin, Delmon Griffin, Teddy Griffin, and Dewey Griffin; sister, Becky Griffin Armstrong, and many other extended family members.
Stevie was a 1964 Anderson Creek High School graduate and then went on to work for civil service on Fort Bragg at the water treatment plant for 30 years. Soon after retirement, he headed back to work at the Harnett County Water Treatment Facility for five years and then at the Old North Utility Co. until he officially retired on Oct. 21, 2016. He was a lifetime member of Gourd Springs Baptist Church, where he served in many capacities, most recently as a deacon, senior adult Sunday school teacher, and Brotherhood director. He loved the Lord and loved to serve others. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 302 in Lillington for 42 years; a 40-year member of the Scottish Rite; and a faithful member of Harnett County Shrine Club for 39 years, where he loved to cook chickens for biannual barbecues to raise money for the Shriner's Children's Hospitals. He was a member of the Sudan Racers and drove go-carts #13, #17, and #28 in the parades. Together, Stevie and beloved wife Marie were foster parents to many children for over 20 years.
Stevie was a hardworking Christian man that loved his wife, daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, family, and friends. Stevie had a servant's heart, loved to build, and ride motorcycles, and was, overall, a very talented man who will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
There will be a visitation for friends and family from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at Adcock Funeral Home, Spring Lake. Funeral services honoring the life of Stevie Griffin will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at his beloved home church, Gourd Springs Baptist Church. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery.
Alzheimer’s
By Dick Underwood
You didn’t die just recently,
You died some time ago.
Although your body stayed a while,
And didn’t really know.
For you had got Alzheimer’s,
You failed to comprehend.
Your body went on living.
But your mind had reached its end.
So we’ve already said, “Goodbye”
To the person that we knew.
The person that we truly loved,
The person that was you.
And so we meet again today,
To toast your body’s end.
For it was true and faithful,
Until right at the end.
And so, when we remember,
We’ll think of all the rest.
We’ll concentrate on earlier,
And remember all the best.
For in the real scheme of things,
Your illness wasn’t long.
Compared to all the happiness,
You brought your whole life long.
We think of you as yesterday,
When you were fit and well.
And when we’re asked about you,
It’s those things that we’ll tell.
And so we meet in remembrance,
Of a mind so fit and true.
We’re here to pay our last respects
To say that, “We love you.”
