James E. Griggs, 78, died Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Unit. He was born October 9, 1937 in Osceola, Arkansas to Earett Alvin and Cleo Stanford Griggs. He grew up in the Houston community of Itawamba County. He worked at Penn Tire for many years and also worked in the furniture industry. He was avid gardener and fisherman. He enjoyed sports, especially basketball and baseball, and the Atlanta Braves. Services will be at 11:00 a. m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Buddy Rushing officiating. Burial will be in the Kirkville cemetery.
Survivors include his Clara; one son, James Patrick Griggs (Sharon) of Papillion, NE; one daughter, Kimberly L. Lowrey (Greg) of Chapin, SC; one sister, Laura Jo Williams of Peppertown; his step-children,Kim Thorn (Eric) of Peaceful Valley and Johnny Sandlin (Renee) of Saltillo; five grandchildren, Shawn P. Griggs and Kalani N. Griggs, both of Papillion, NE, Chase A. Lowrey of Memphis, TN, Lauren E. Alford (Taft) of Chapin, SC, and William G. Lowrey (Sarah) of Sellerfield, GA; one great grandchild, Rowan Alford; three step-grandchildren, Kennedy, Katelyn, and Justin Sandlin, all of Saltiillo; four nieces and neohews, Michael Williams, Jeff Griggs, Kathy Dozier, and Jennifer Henry; special friend and brother, James L. Newell of Fulton,MS.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Susan Griggs Matthews; one brother, Jimmy Alvin Griggs; and his parents.
Pallbearers will be Terry McCarthy, Eric Thorn, Johnny Sandlin, Eric Shields, Danny Yielding, Michael Williams, and Jeff Griggs.
Honorary pallbearers will be Don Spradling, James Newell, and Kelby Shields.
Visitation will be from 5:00 -8:00 p. m. Friday at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie.
