Asa Reginald Griffin

Asa Reginald Griffin, Sr, 84, resident of 149 Hwy. 72 East widower of Erline Grant Griffin died quietly Monday April 25, 2005 at Abbeville Nursing Home.

Born Nov. 5, 1920 in Newberry, SC he was a son of the late Asa Benjamin and Lucille Dickert Griffin.

Mr. Griffin was a World War II Army veteran. After his completion of service he became employed with Abbeville Mills where he retired in 1986 with over 40 years of service. Upon retirement he worked for a number of years in the used car business. He was a very active member of Grace United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Harry Powell Mens Sunday School Class and was the superintendent of Sunday Schools for many years.
Mr. Griffin also enjoyed a sporting career in baseball as he was a sucessful player in the Old Greenwood Textile League. Upon conclusion of his playing days he took the the one thing he loved most coaching. He was a charter member of the Abbeville Youth Atlettics Association. He coached Abbeville Youth Baseball Teams for 43 years and his first team the Cubs won the league championship 13 out of 16 years. He also coached many Allstar teams during his career.He also coached the Abbeville Midgets Football Team to a State Championship in the 1980's.
He was referred to affectionally as COACH by many of his former players some of whom went on to sucessful careers in college baseball.
Coach Griffin was an avid Abbeville High School Football fan. One thing he was most proud of was the fact that until his recent illness this past football season he attended every Abbeville High game both at home and away for 57 years and 9 games. In all he did not miss a game for over 600 games. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather to his many grandchildren whom he was so fond of. Coach Griffin will be missed but God needed a COACH and now HE has one of the best.

survivors are: 2 sons Reggie Griffin and his wife Dot of Abbeville, SC Mike Griffin and his wife Carlene of Abbeville, 7 grandchildren Gina Webb, Chris Griffin, Ben Griffin, John Griffin, Missy Purdy, Carrie Brock and Clif Griffin, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday April 28, 2005 at 11:00 from Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Darren Hook officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will recieve friends from 6:00 until 7:30 PM Wednesday evening. The family is at the hme of his son Mr. & Mrs. Reggie Griffin, 610 Noble Drive Abbeville, SC.

Active pallbeares will be Scott Webb, Mark Purdy, Ben Griffin, Melvin Brock, Clif Griffin, John Griffin and Chris Griffin.

Memorial may be made to Grace United Church, Building Fund, PO Box 1007 Abbeville, SC 29620 or to The Abbeville Youth Athletics Association, North Main St. Abbeville, SC 29620.

THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.

Visitation

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
April 27, 2005
6:00-7:30 PM

Service

Grace United Methodist Church
East Harrisburg St
Abbeville, SC  29620
April 28, 2005
11:00 AM

Interment

Forest Lawn Memory Gardens
2699 Highway 72
Abbeville ,  SC  29620