Sylvia R. Griffin

On September 27, 2016, Sylvia Diane Raper Griffin of Wilmington NC departed the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center and entered her heavenly home. She was born February 22, 1939, in Wilmington, NC to Davis William and Everlena Raper who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her beloved sweetheart since age 13 and husband of 60 years, Jimmy C. Griffin. She will be sadly missed by her children; Eddie Griffin and wife, Sherry of Castle Hayne, N.C., Diane Piersma and husband, Doug, Lisa Evenson and husband Mike, and Michael Griffin and companion Tara Strickland, all of Wilmington, Grandchildren; Greg Griffin, Brett Griffin, Catelyn Smith, T.J. Munroe, Haley Koch and Alyssa Griffin; five great grandchildren and another due next month, her sisters; Billie R. Botts of Wilmington and Louise R. Todd of Wake Forest, NC, nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and her furry companions Tucker and Suki.

Her sweet, kind, and loving spirit enlarged her family to include life-long and newly embraced friends who have shared her life and now share our loss. She will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She was our “Queen of piddling and Kleenex”. We cherish sweet memories and are comforted because of her solid faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As a childhood charter member she has faithfully served and worshiped at Myrtle Grove Baptist Church most of her life except for the years she relocated with Jimmy to Virginia for his work. In addition to nurturing her family, she worked in the banking, finance and insurance industries, retiring from USF&G. She later served as church secretary at Myrtle Grove for 10 years.

The family will forever be grateful to all those who faithfully loved and prayed for Sylvia and the family during her two year battle with cancer. Also, a heartfelt thanks to her doctors, nurses, Hospice caregivers and all who provided support during this difficult time.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home with Reverend Paul Waters officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends afterwards at the family’s home in Sentry Oaks.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be sent to Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, 5524 Myrtle Grove Road, Wilmington, NC 28409 for the Memorial Fund, or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1406 Physicians Drive, Wilmington NC 28401.