Robert “Bob” Vance Griffith, 79, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Saturday July 4, 2020 in a Chattanooga hospital.
Bob was the son of the late R.V. Griffith and Evelyn Pauline Silver Griffith, and was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Wanda Leona Gore Griffith and his son, Robert V. Griffith, Jr.
He graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1959. He spent two years in the United States Army. He received his BS degree from Lee College and his master’s degree in mathematics from the University Of Tennessee at Knoxville. He taught mathematics for a number of years at Cleveland High School before becoming a professor at Lee College for over 50 years. He played an integral part in the founding of the Mathematics Department at Lee College. He was a charter member of the Westmore Church of God and was an avid fisherman and hunter.
He is survived by his brother, Eddie Griffith and his wife, Linda; his children, Martha Griffith and Mike Claudio and his wife, Debbie; his grandchildren, Vance, Jennifer, Emma, Hannah and Daniel; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Because of the concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a private Remembrance of Life Service will be held graveside Friday at Sunset Memorial Gardens. However, for those that would like to pay their respects to Bob and his family, you are welcome to line the processional route. The procession to the cemetery will leave Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee at 9:30 a.m., traveling south on Parker Street and then West on Billy Graham Avenue, then preceding beside Lee University Science and Math Complex. The service will be posted on the website at a later time.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Bob’s memory to the “Griffith Scholarship” by going to www.leeuniversity.edu/give. Please use the Endowed Scholarships in the drop down box and in the other comments box list “Griffith Scholarship”.
Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel has charge of the arrangements.