Thomas James Griffin

If there ever was a Renaissance Man, it was Thomas James Griffin (TJ). The son of Alfred and Gladys Griffin, and husband of Rosetta, was born in Quincy, FL on June 29, 1936. TJ matriculated through the public school system and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. TJ went on to attend Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, AL, and would later enlist in the U.S. Army, having proudly served two years in the U.S. Army Airborne before being honorably discharged in Miami, FL.

TJ was an avid reader and his thirst for knowledge led him to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in business from Florida A&M University (FAMU) Tallahassee, FL, and a Diploma from the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville, KY. His other professional pursuits included postal clerk, insurance sales representative, a Director of the Frenchtown Area Development Authority, staff accountant at Florida State University, and Director of Housing at FAMU. He was also a police officer for the Miami Dade County Police Department.

TJ’s true calling, however, was best exemplified by his work as a respected mortician and funeral director. He was a member of the Florida Funeral Directors Association, and the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida. He honed his mortician skills at Strong and Jones Funeral Home in Tallahassee for over 10 years; co-owned and operated Branch Street Funeral Home in Monticello, FL, for over 30 years; and diligently served Tillman Funeral Home in Tallahassee until his untimely illness.

TJ was a devoted member of Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, FL for over 40 years. He was also a Prince Hall Mason, a Shriner, and a member of Frontiers International. He was a member of Tallahassee Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and so loved his fraternity that he became a Life Member.

TJ married his loving and devoted wife Rosetta Brundage in 1981, and their blessed union lasted over 40 years. He leaves behind to cherish his memory sons: Kelvin Harris; Thomas, Jr.; Alfred (Erika); and a daughter Delphene Jones all of Tallahassee, FL; son Elbert (Shavonda) of Sarasota, FL, daughter Sonia Thomas (Wendell) of Kansas City, MO; sister Annie Mae Griffin of Tallahassee, FL; 13 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren, two God daughters Stacey Jordon (Shawn) and Glenda Wilson (Arthur), and a host of other relatives and loving friends. TJ stayed committed to all those he loved, and he will be truly missed.

TJ will lie in repose in the Capital Room of the Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home – Riggins Road Chapel on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 3 O’clock in the afternoon until 7 O’clock in the evening. Funeral Services will commence at 11am on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the Old West Florida Enrichment Center, 2344 Lake Bradford Rd, Tallahassee and burial will follow at the Tallahassee National Cemetery.

The Griffin family kindly request that you wear mask and observe social distancing during both the visitation and the services.

The caring professionals of Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home is assisting the Griffin family with arrangements.