Edwin Griffin

Edwin Motte Griffin, 88, died Monday, February 27, 2012 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Belle Darden Griffin of Spartanburg; his two sons, Edwin Motte Griffin, Jr. and his wife Molly and John Darden Griffin and his wife Margaret, all of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and his six grandchildren, Jeffrey Motte Griffin, Leslie Hamilton Griffin, Elizabeth Darden Griffin, Catherine Spencer Griffin, Grace Bryan Griffin and John Darden Griffin, Jr. Born July 8, 1923, he was the son of Peter Evans Griffin and Margaret Motte Griffin of Columbia, SC. He is predeceased by his sister, Margaret Griffin Smith of Spartanburg, and his brother, Peter Evans Griffin, Jr. of Columbia. His daily visits and phone calls with his family and friends will be missed. Ed retired as Communications Manager of Spartan Mills in 1996 where he was employed for 46 years. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina in 1946 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe. Ed served as a Deacon and Elder of First Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday School for many years, introducing the love of Christ to hundreds of students. He was an active, loyal, tireless, and selfless volunteer in many Spartanburg groups, including serving on the Board of SPACE, as President of Civitan (50-year service award), delivering Friday meals for Mobile Meals until he was 88, attending two weekly Bible studies, and as President of Fernwood Pool. Ed's love of God, his family and others, and his servant spirit and infectious optimistic attitude fueled all he did. His encouraging words left those he touched inspired to better themselves and their lives. In 2005, SPACE named the land surrounding its popular Cottonwood Trail the "Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve" in honor of his service in creating, maintaining and enhancing many of the trails, calling him the "Pied Piper" of the Cottonwood Trail. Among his many efforts, he led the project to build and install a popular wetlands boardwalk to better observe different ecosystems and to design and install the Frisbee Golf Course. His deep love of nature and generous spirit has benefitted thousands of people in Spartanburg who enjoy this urban oasis along Lawson's Fork near Spartanburg High School. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 1, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. William L. Arthur, the Rev. Donald Gibson, and the Rev. Laura E. Palmer, with a reception to follow in the Church Social Hall. Burial will be at 2:00 PM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Honorary escort is the Marriott Wednesday Morning Bible Study Group. The family wishes to express thanks to Lauren Cecil and the staff of White Oak Estates, as well as to Ray and Debbie Neuse, for their care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to SPACE (Spartanburg Area Conservancy), 100 East Main Street, Suite 7B, Spartanburg, SC 29306; or Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edwin Motte Griffin please visit our Sympathy Store.