James Roosevelt Griffin

Mr. James Roosevelt Griffin, 79 of 208 Canal Drive, South Mills, NC, transitioned from this life on Monday, October 16, 2017 at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. 

Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, South Mills, NC. Interment will follow in New Burying Ground Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The family will receive friends at the home of the deceased.

For over 30 years, he was a locomotive engineer. He prided himself in being the first African American locomotive engineer, employed by Norfolk Western/Southern. 

James leaves to cherish his memories: loving wife, Shirley Quidley Griffin, of the home; three daughters, Shirley Bartlett (Pernell) of Hertford, NC, Anisa Swain (Tracy) of South Mills, NC and Felicia Johnson (Chris) of Creedmoor, NC; four sons, James Griffin (Pamela) and Clayton Griffin (Joycelyn) of Elizabeth City, NC, Cecil Griffin (Denise) of Chesapeake, VA and Mark Griffin (Dawn) of Dundock, Md; two sisters, Audrey Armstrong of Elizabeth City, NC and Joyce Johnson (Clifton) of South Mills, NC; one brother, Roy Griffin of Chesapeake, VA; eighteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends. Online condolences may be shared by visiting, www.mitchellcares.com. 

Final Care and Compassionate Services are being provided to the Griffin and connected families by Mithell Funeral Care and Cremations, Elizabeth City.