Gene Griffin

Marvin E. Griffin entered his heavenly home at 5:15 PM on July 01, 2020. He was born on November 25, 1934 in Colquitt County GA. He was the second of six children of the late John Alton Griffin and Lilly Alean Plymale Griffin.

Gene was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. His wife of 59 years, Therlisel Webb Griffin, a daughter, Julie Griffin Page of Valdosta, GA, a son, Robert Alton (Al) Griffin and daughter-in-law, Natalie Pittman Griffin of Monroe, GA., survive him as well as do 3 grandchildren: Rachael Page Schaper (Austin) of Statesville, NC, Daniel Alexander “Alex” Griffin of Monroe, GA, and Edmund Andrew “Drew” Page, II of Valdosta, GA, and 1 great-granddaughter, Harper Paige Schaper of Statesville, NC. 

Gene is also survived by a sister, Myrna Griffin Warga (Lewis), a brother, Jake Randall Griffin (Hilda) both of Quitman GA, and sisters-in-law, Gayle Webb Palmer (Joseph) of Camilla, GA, and Linda Cayce Meyers (Tom) of Lake Oconee, GA., and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

Gene’s parents and brothers Lester Douglas Griffin, Benny LeVerne Griffin, and James Lamar Griffin preceded him in death as did his son-in-law, Edmund Andrew Page.

Gene was a 1954 honor graduate of Quitman High School. He was a parts manager and later became a partner with West Tractor Co in Quitman, GA. In 1984, he was employed by Kelly Mfg. Company in Tifton, GA, and then with Lilliston Corp. in Albany, GA. Following his tenure in the farm equipment business, Gene became Credit and Receivables Manager in 1987 for Murray Biscuit Company in Augusta, GA; and throughout its purchase transitions, he was employed by President Baking Company, Keebler Company and retired from Kellogg Company in September 2005.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Gene served 6 years in the US Army with 2 years active duty and honorably discharged from the Army National Guard with rank of sergeant. He was ordained as a deacon at the Quitman First Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday school director for many years. Gene was also an active member of the Quitman Kiwanis Club for many years and served 2 terms as president. While employed in the farm equipment business, he served several years on the Board of the Georgia Farm Equipment Association and also established a Farm Equipment Finance Company for West Tractor Co. and for Kelly Mfg. Co.

Gene frequently sought the advice of his older friends and acquaintance to gain knowledge from their wisdom and experience, and he treasured those relationships. Gene never met a stranger and had an amazing talent for engaging people in conversation. To know him was to love his quick wit and funny sense of humor. He genuinely loved his family and enjoyed country music, the DAWGS, football, and baseball. He was a passionate supporter of his kid’s and grandchildren’s educational and athletic programs. He was also a very humble person and never boasted of his deeds or wanted to call attention to himself. He was a man of integrity and was always respectful of others and their opinions. He was dedicated to his work and appreciated those with whom he worked. Gene was a brilliant person and well read. His mind was like a calculator, and he offered sound advice to every young person whom he met. He took great pride in his appearance and had the goal of perfection in all tasks that he attempted. One of his favorite remarks was that he graduated from the School of OHK&E (Opportunity of Hard Knocks and Experience)!

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Quitman First Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Harris officiating, Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Per families request that everyone wear a mask that attends the service. The service will be live stream on Purvis Funeral Home and Maxwell-Purvis Funeral Home Facebook account. Flowers will be accepted or contributions can be made to Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, 1101 Fifteenth Street, Augusta, GA 30901 or the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

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