Jimmy Knight Griffin

.James Knight Griffin III, ( Jimmy), 71, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12 at his residence, surrounded by his loved ones, in Key Largo, Fla. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Sat. Jan. 16, in the chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Whit Chapman officiating. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Serving active pallbearers will be the Gideons, Phil Fletcher, Leland Ring, John Lee, Bob Jones, Josh Parker and Eldridge Cannon.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Frederica Baptist Church,

Jimmy was born June 18, 1944, in Waycross, Ga., son of the late James Knight Griffin Jr., and the late Mildred Altman Griffin. Jimmy's life began growing up and working in his family business at Griffin's Service Station in Patterson, Ga.

Later in life, Jimmy earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University in criminal justice. Jimmy was retired from the State of Georgia where he served in many capacities beginning as a parole supervisor, probation officer, senior counselor, and served in many different capacities in the Georgia Correctional System. He also owned and operated several DUI/Defensive Driving Schools within the state.

Jimmy received many honors during his career including the Liberty Bell Award and Citizen of the Year Award in Berrien County, Ga. Jimmy's primary focus in life was service to the Lord, to his family, and to mankind proclaiming Christ's name. He served as a Gideon for over 30 years. He had an ongoing jail ministry all over the states of Georgia and South Carolina for over 30 years. He served as a deacon in churches all around the Southeast for over 30 years including Frederica Baptist Church on Saint Simons Island, Ga., before moving to Key Largo, Fla. His family and those who knew him best considered him a "domestic" missionary who touched the lives of people in the name of Christ everywhere he traveled and in his everyday life.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betty Ruth Griffin; his son, Jamie Knight Griffin and wife, Iris Griffin; and his daughters, Lisha Michelle Cain and husband, Ted Cain, and Amy Ruth Hopkins and husband, Donald "Jeff" Hopkins. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Dustin Griffin, Georgia Dietz, Logan Hopkins, Mattox Hopkins, Beau Griffin and Griffin Hopkins; his brother; Jerry Griffin and wife, Patsy Griffin; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Griffin was preceded in death by his nephew, Chipper Griffin of Pierce County, Ga.

Arrangements are entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandosns.com.