Screven-Mr. Julian Sylvester Griffis, age 86, died Friday, September 26, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was born in Appling County and lived most of his life in Wayne County.
He was the former owner and operator of Jesup Milling Company and co-owner of Wayne General Supply. He worked as a farmer for over 70 years. He was an active member of the Wayne County Young Farmers, Wayne County Livestock Association and a past director for the Sun Trust Bank. He served in the United States Air Force and was a member of Ephesus Church of God in Bristol.
Mr. Griffis was preceded in death by his parents Aurthur and RosaLee Griffis, brothers, Kelson, Edward, Willard, Timothy, and Phillmon Griffis, a grandson, R. J. Griffis and a daughter, Linda Gail Griffis.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lizzie Blocker Griffis, a brother, David Lee Griffis of Bristol, a son Ronnie Griffis and his wife Bonnie of Screven, a daughter Marlee Jones and her husband Ivey of Screven, four granddaughters, Vickie Jones, Nancy and John Dawson, Kristy and Robert Arnold all of Screven and Kathy and Fred McCormick of Jesup, three great-grandchildren, Kayle and Karson Arnold and Lance Dawson; several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 3:00 p. m. from the James R. Gordon Memorial Chapel with Reverend David Hubbs, Reverend Larry Copley and Dr. Ron Wilcox officiating. Interment will follow at Ephesus Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday beginning at 6 p. m. at the funeral home.
Active pallbearers will be Joe B. Harris, Carl Harris, Johnny Harris, Paul Harris, Franklin Burch, Billy Mac Burch, Donnie Willis, and Randy Franks.
Honorary pallbearers will be Hubert Howard, Jim Sawyer, Colbert Purvis, John Tyre, J. C. Walker, Franklin Griffis, Jim Fountain, Carlus Ahl, Jeff Westberry, J. B. Olliff, Gene Mclain, Eugene Jones, Carol Thornton, Mark Fuller, Easop Fuller, Surrency High School Class of 1941, the Wayne County Young Farmers and Wayne County Livestock Association, Hospice of South Georgia, Dr. Lance Hendrix and Wayne Memorial Hospital Nurses and Staff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of South Georgia at 117 Drennon Drive, Jesup, Georgia 31545 or Ephesus Church of God at Highway 121, Bristol, Georgia 31518.
Family and friend may sign the online register book at www.howardjonesnobles.com.
Howard~Jones~Nobles Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.