Griffin Speaks

FIFTY YEARS

Mr. Melvin Julius Griffin Sr. and the former Alger M. James met in 1949 at the beauty parlor that she owned in Williamston, North Carolina, while she spruced up his sister’s hair. After an extended courtship, they were united in holy matrimony on October 15, 1954 in the sunroom of his parent’s home in Everetts, North Carolina. 

This union was blessed with three wonderful sons, Napoleon Winston Griffin, the late Melvin Julius Griffin Jr. and Attorney Gregory Oswald Griffin Sr., and a host of extended family of grandchildren, and friends who love them very much. 

On Friday October 15, 2004, Dr. and Mrs. Griffin were honored at a sit down prime rib dinner for 180 people at the Capital City Club in Montgomery, Alabama. The Mistress of Ceremony was Dr. Griffin’s boss at the Alabama Public Service Commission, Mrs. Janice Hamilton. The guests were entertained by musical selections from Mrs. Virginia Bell a close family friend and Mr. Joe Thomas father-in-law of Greg Griffin Sr.  

Reflections of fifty years of wedding bliss was given by the Griffin children Greg Griffin Sr. and Napoleon Winston Griffin, daughter-in-laws Jane Griffin and Debra Griffin, and grandchildren. Attorney General Troy King a close family friend presented the Griffin’s with Honorary Deputy Attorney General Certificates.  He pointed out to Dr. Griffin that “they are only honorary so don’t go out and try to arrest anyone”. 

Pastor Bennie R. Liggins of Community Congregational United Church of Christ performed the renewal of vows ceremony. Among the many guest attending the affair were: Rev. and Mrs. Al Dixon, Molly Reed, Essie Buskie, Dr. Robert M. Gaskin, Walter and Carolyn Thomas, Michael Briddell, Dr. Jean Crawford, Jarred Crawford, Hazel Spruill, Grace Perkins,

Bernard and Debra Perkins, Attorney General Troy and Paige King, Gladys Riddle, Sidney T. and Dorothy Williams, Terry and Melinda Davis, Larry and Cynthia Stinson, Charlie and Dorian Ross, Joe and Wilma Thomas, Henry and Gloria Keeton, Bernard and Janice Hamilton, Rev. Dorinda Broadnax, Lorenza and Dr. Latanza Harrison, Sam and Brenda Martin, Helen Williams, Charles and Josephine McCall, Dr. and Mrs. Ed Bray, James and Velma Bray, George and Eudora Lee, Phyliss Carrington, Rev. and Mrs. Oscar Cook, Judy McClean, Richard and Lisa Fiore,  Dr. Patricia Martin, Audrienne Martin, Rev. Dwayne McNeal,  James and Jackie Harrell, Attorney Fred and Virginia Bell, Bill and Yvonne Lee, Elliott Turner, Felecia Owens, Doug McCant, Gloria Johnson, William and Stephanie McCladdie, Jimmy and Betty Vernado and many other distinguished guests. 

The guests of honor gave their remarks at the end of the program. Dr. Griffin told the crowd that “if you want your marriage to last fifty years you don’t necessarily have to be henpecked, but it’s ok to be a little bit barnyardish!”

 Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com

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