Orville Clifford Griggs Jr., known to his friends as Cliff, was born 10 June 1947 to O.C. and Mildred Griggs of Arab. Cliff passed away peacefully on 13 January 2022.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Linda Morris of Arab, his son and daughter-in-law Jeremy Griggs and Jessica Trincanello of Houston, Texas, and his daughter Jessica Griggs of Arab. Cliff is also survived by his grandchildren, Gwen and Sophie Griggs and Montgomery Wright.
Cliff was formerly a writer and editor at The Arab Tribune. Cliff’s voice was known to many in the community through his work on the radio at WRAB and other stations in the area.
Cliff had an extraordinary eye for photography. Before the age of Photoshop and smart phones, Cliff could be found spending hours in a dark room, processing photographs to perfection. He had a knack for turning the mundane into extraordinary. As Mountaintop Photography and Cliff Griggs Photography & Graphics, he chronicled many weddings and events throughout the Arab area.
He owned and operated Between the Bookends for several years before retiring. Cliff created an environment where people could come in to the bookstore and enjoy a strong cup of coffee, along with an intellectual debate about any book.
His primary passions were his family, the environment, and animal welfare. He enjoyed boating around the beaches and appreciated the beauty of nature. Cliff was particularly active in the preservation of the Tennessee River. Cliff and his wife Linda adopted many homeless dogs over the years, giving them a loving home.
Marshall Memorial Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date and request that in lieu of flowers, all donations be made to your favorite animal shelter.
