Obituary

Mr. Edward Murray Griggs, Sr. was born Edward Murrray to Eddy and Jessie Mae Murray in Warrington, Georgia on August 27, 1933. He entered the Kingdom of Heaven on May 20, 2011 at Arrowhead Rehabilitation Center in Riverdale, GA.

Edward’s father Eddy was killed when Ed was very young. Eddy’s murder was what we today call a “Hate Crime”.  Jessie Mae eventually married Albert Griggs and she along with Ed moved away from Warrenton to Rossville, Georgia.  Albert and Jessie Mae then had six additional children Robert Lewis (deceased) Henry lee (deceased), Edgar “Bill” (deceased), Willie, Herman, and Odessa. Ed grew up with his half brothers and sister using the last name Griggs.

Ed grew up in the North Georgia and Chattanooga area. He eventually met Virginia Buchannan while living in Rossville, GA.  Love blossomed and they married on August 25, 1952. Edward and Virginia had four children, Linda Reid (Jerry), Edward, Jr. (Sherrie), Barbara Vaughn (Charles-deceased) and Christopher (Erica). They began their married lives in Georgia and Tennessee, but eventually moved to Toledo, Ohio, where they stayed for twenty-eight years. In 1981, due to health related issues they moved back to where it all began for them, Rossville, GA where they built a home. After living there for several years they moved to Riverdale, Georgia and joined the Freedom Christian Center in Morrow, GA in 2010, under the leadership of Pastors Darrius and Angela Shannon.

The family would like to specially recognize Mother Griggs’ sister, Mrs. Juanita Foster, who was very dear to Ed. She was like a little sister to him. They spent many hours’ together visiting and fellowshipping. Every Christmas they spent together Juanita would fix Ed’s plate first and she always went out of her way to make sure he was taken care of. So, thank you to a dear sister and a great Aunt for loving and caring so much for Ed.

The Family of Edward Griggs would also like to express out thanks to everyone who prayed for us, visited, called, and just thought about us during Ed’s illness. We appreciate each one of you. We thank you for coming today to celebrate the life of a truly beautiful man. Ed was a wonderful husband to Virginia for almost fifty-nine years. He was a great Father to all his children and an even better Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He was also a good big brother to his half-brothers and sister as well as a good uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, and a very hard working man who will be missed by us all.

Ed had several interest and hobbies but one of the things he enjoyed most was gospel music. He collected hundred of tapes and CD’s over the years. He was especially fond of quartets, so we ask that each time you hear good gospel music, remember Ed with a song in your heart and a smile on your face!