Obit – Mr. James Ray “Jimmy” Griffin

Mr. James Ray “Jimmy” Griffin, age 80 of the South Carthage Community of Smith County passed away peacefully at 11:27 AM Saturday September 13, 2025 at Highpoint Health-Riverview Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Griffin was born November 6, 1944 to the late James Homer Griffin and Alberta Woodard Griffin. He was a 1962 graduate of Smith County High School. After high school he attended Tennessee Tech University where he received a bachelor’s degree in business management. He then pursued his Master’s in Education and graduated in May of 1966. He united in marriage with Mary Dan Booker Griffin on September 16, 1966. Mr. Jimmy began his teaching career at South Carthage Elementary School as the principal. He later served as the truancy officer for the Smith County School System. Mr. Jimmy had always had a love for working in the grocery store business so when the opportunity presented he became a partner in the old Bestway Store, after several years he bought the old Sav-Way Store in South Carthage.

Mr. Griffin is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Mary Dan Booker Griffin of South Carthage, TN; two sons: Jamie Griffin of South Carthage, TN and Chris (Stephanie) Griffin of Brush Creek, TN; three granddaughters, Deseree (Nathan) Randolph of Club Springs, TN, Catlyn (T. J.) Phaup of Madisonville, KY and Sydney Griffin of Brush Creek, TN; one great-grandson Reece Pennington; one sister, Cheryl (Mark) Litton of South Carthage, TN.

Mr. Griffin was at the Carthage Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes where funeral services were conducted on Monday September 15, 2025, at 3 PM with Adam Dawson officiating. Interment followed in Smith County Memorial Gardens.

BASS of CARTHAGE