Alvin A Griffis

Alvin Alton Griffis, 84, a lifelong resident of Raiford, Florida, was born in an old log farmhouse on January 20, 1939 and departed this life on April 07, 2023.  He has left a legacy of Christian faith, family life, community service and involvement, mentoring, and hard work.  Mr. Griffis was a committed, dedicated man, giving his all to anything he started. 

As a Christian, he lived out his faith as a member of New River New Congregational Methodist Church, serving as class leader for over 40 years and as a steward.  He sang Southern Gospel music for most of his life-- founding and managing the “Gospel Sounds” and singing in churches and venues all over North Florida and South Georgia.  He was always ready and willing to share his faith with others in the community. 

As a family man, Mr. Griffis was married to the love of his life, Geraldine Griffis, for 62 years.  He was a father who taught his sons to love the Lord, their spouses, their children and their community, to be dedicated, and to work hard.  He loved being a “Papa” to his grandchildren.  He enjoyed “making farmers out of them” by giving tractor rides on the old ’57 put-put John Deere and providing big rolls of hay for them to play on.   He loved attending football, volleyball, and basketball games, concerts, High-Q matches, recitals, church revivals, graduations and award ceremonies.  He and Geraldine would often travel many miles to attend these events.  He was always happy to just talk, give wisdom, or simply enjoy time together.  He loved gardening, raising cattle, developing land and entertaining family and friends on the farm.

Alvin Griffis truly loved his community of Raiford and all of Union County.  He believed his greatest accomplishment was being a Union County School Board member for 20 years.  He spent countless hours helping his constituents.   He was a major supporter and champion of athletics, academics, and all other extracurricular activities.  He was a member of the Quarterback club, the LBMS advisory council, and became well known in Tallahassee as an advocate for Union County.  He particularly enjoyed supporting FFA.  There were many recipients of his generosity.  Mr. Alvin was passionate about his hometown of Raiford and was instrumental in the creation of “Raiford Day.”  He was a member of the Raiford Masonic Lodge #82 for over 50 years, serving as Master of the Lodge and as a District Deputy.  Mr. Griffis was a patriotic American and served the USA in the National Guard for four years.

Mr. Griffis attended school in Raiford, then graduated from Union County High School.  After high school he was a hard working man.  He worked in construction, he was a cutting room supervisor at Lake Butler Apparel Company, at RMC with FLDOC, and retired from Northeast Florida State Hospital as a purchasing agent.

Mr. Griffis is survived by 2 sons: Pastor Randall A. Griffis, Sr.(Darlene), and Gary Franklin Griffis(Sheila); Grandchildren:  Randall Griffis, Jr.(Terissa/Fancy), Joel Combs(Brittany), Jonathan Griffis(Cindy), Sarah-Anne Albritton(Jonathan), Cody Griffis, Gary-Nathan/Nate Griffis(Devin), Andrew-Paul/AP Griffis(Abby), Addie-Kaye Yarbrough(Lawson) and Tyler-Clayton/TC Griffis;  Great-Grandchildren: Tyreshia Archer, Tayla Archer, Callie Combs, Aaron Griffis, Kenley Combs, Anderson Griffis, Dylan Griffis, Alton Griffis, and Korie Kaye Griffis.  Two Brothers, Gerald Griffis(Joann) and Ressie Griffis (Paulette) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Mr. Griffis was predeceased by his loving wife, Geraldine Opal Varnes Griffis; his parents Calvin and Ruby Griffis; 3 sisters, Vera Alvarez, Eloise Pearce, and Sadie Mae Crawford, and 3 brothers, Clifford Griffis, Calvin Griffis, Jr., and J.D. Griffis.

Alvin Griffis was born on a cold winter morning with a “big white frost.”  As the frost covered the ground on that day, his life covered and greatly impacted his family and his community in a Godly, productive, positive way. 

Visitation for Mr. Griffis will be from 5:30-8 PM Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Archer-Milton Funeral Home in Lake Butler Florida.  Funeral Services will be held at New River New Congregational Methodist Church at 11 AM on Wednesday April 12, 2023 (23999 NW 83^rd Ave, Raiford, FL.)   Internment will follow the service at Sapp Cemetery in Raiford, FL.  Services will be officiated by his sons, Randall and Gary Griffis.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler, FL.  (Tel:  386-496-2008)  www.archerfuneralhome.com