Emmett A. Griggs Jr.

Emmett Adams Griggs, Jr age 94, of Macon, Georgia, passed away on April 30, 2021. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Macon Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Long officiating. The family will greet friends following the graveside service.

Emmett was born in Macon on January 21, 1927, to Emmett Adams Griggs and Thelma Smith Griggs.

Emmett served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Missouri and was onboard the ship when the Japanese representatives signed their official surrender, ending World War II. During his service, he regularly wrote letters to his future wife, Mary Jim or “Jimmie” as he referred to her, one in which he told her that after the surrender he and his fellow servicemen dove off the ship’s side into the water of Tokyo Bay in celebration.

Emmett completed his military service on May 14, 1946, and returned to Macon. Emmett began working for the railroad, where he earned the nickname “Red.” In 1947, at the age of 20, Emmett married Mary Jim Malone; the couple remained in Macon where they raised their two daughters, Rhonda and Kim. Emmett and Mary Jim were long time members of Lynmore Methodist Church and Grace Primitive Baptist Church. Emmett and Mary Jim were married for 56 years, until her death on February 8, 2005.

Emmett loved watching the Georgia Bulldogs play football, NuWay hotdogs, fishing, and wood-working. Throughout his life, Emmett constructed numerous pieces of wood furniture for his family, including a cradle that rocked many of his great-grandchildren.

Emmett’s favorite Bible verse, that he was known to quote from memory, was Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Emmett was predeceased by his wife, Mary Jim Malone Griggs, and is survived by his daughters Rhonda Griggs Hutcheson (Eddie) and Kimberly Griggs Woodrum (David); three grandchildren, Jason Hutcheson (Kristi), Carla Brown, and Laura Penn (Darren); and seven great-grandchildren, Marley Hutcheson, Garrett Brown, Collier Brown, Abby Grace Hutcheson, Hayes Penn, Thomas Penn, and Henley Penn.

Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Georgia.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.