Garland, Griffis
Bishop Garland Malcolm Griffis, 92, a resident of Cleveland, passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2017, in a local health care facility.
He was born Feb. 22, 1925, in Selma, NC. He was the son of the late Emma Elizabeth Hinnant Griffis and Edgar Malcolm Griffis. His sisters, Mildred Boyette and Mary Carter also preceded him in death.
Rev. Griffis was a retired minister with the Church of God. Along with his wife, he pastored in Black Oak, Cookeville, Palmer, Lawrenceburg, McMinnville, Central Knoxville, and Lenoir City, all churches in Tennessee. He served as Administrative Bishop to Oregon and Pennsylvania. He also served as a World Missions Representative for 16 years, preaching all around the world. Rev. Griffis also served on various boards: the World Missions Board, the Church of God Home for Children Board, the Tennessee State Council, and as Chairman to the Tennessee World Missions Board. He authored the book The Mystery of the Church Triumphant. He loved golfing, fishing, and walking, and was a member of Westmore Church of God.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Edna Violet Stover Griffis of Cleveland; daughter, Becky Wood (Ron) of Georgetown; sons, Bishop David M. Griffis (Judy) of Dalton, Georgia, John G. Griffis (Ramona) of Pigeon Forge, and Timothy T. Griffis (Robin) of Pensacola, Florida. He is survived by grandchildren, Jeremy D. Griffis (Misty), Aubrey Jensen (Patrick), Emily N. Griffis, Betsy M. Griffis, John G. Griffis, Jr., Katie Griffis, Sean Griffis, Sarah Fung (Eric), Ryan Wood (Claire), Jared Wood (Inger), and Julie Shell (Chad); 15 great grandchildren, and sisters, Myrtle Moore of Goldsboro, North Carolina, Dorothy Womack, Emma Ruth Creech (Welda) all of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Westmore Church of God. A Remembrance of Life Service will immediately follow with Pastor Kelvin Page, Dr. Tim Hill, Reverend Wendell Smith, Reverend Roland Sharp, and Bishop David Griffis officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with Jeremy Griffis, John Griffis, Jr., Jared Wood, Ryan Wood, Patrick Jensen, Chad Shell, Dewayne Vaught, and Daniel Bowles serving as casket bearers.
The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the arrangements.
You may share your condolences and your memories with the Griffis Family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.