goto DELTAliberty homepage Dr. Richard Griffin, 48, a veterinarian with the Allen & Griffin Animal Hospital, died early Wednesday morning due to injuries sustained in a car accident while heading to Leland to help a sick animal at the Leland Animal Hospital, according to Washington County Sheriff's Department investigators. Capt. David Sessums said the accident occurred around 8:54 p.m. on Tuesday, just east of the intersection of Old Leland Road and Seven Oaks Road. "When we arrived on the scene, we found a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, which was owned and driven by Dr. Richard Griffin," Sessums said. "It seemed that the truck went off the right side of the road after crossing Fish Lake Bridge, while he was headed towards Leland." Griffin, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle on impact during the one-car accident. He was taken to Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, and then airlifted to University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson before being pronounced dead about 4 a.m., hospital officials said. According to business partner and life-long friend, Dr. Clair Allen, Griffin worked for him while in college for six years and then started to practice full-time in 1980 after getting his doctorate in veterinary medicine at Auburn University. "We have been partners for 22 years and just two years ago, he bought me out and had sole ownership," Allen said. "Even though our age difference, which I am in my 70's, we still had utmost respect for each other." Allen added, "He was not only my friend, but I also thought of him as another son." Griffin married his wife, Mary Ann, who is principal at Matty Akin Elementary School in Greenville, in 1988. He also had two children, Thomas, 23, who will be commissioned by the Navy through the University of Mississippi ROTC program on Saturday; and Jessica, 21, who is studying speech pathology at Auburn University, and is set to graduate in December. Thomas Griffin spoke on behalf of himself and his sister on Wednesday and said they will use their faith in God to heal. "In spite of all the tough times we are going through, we rest assured in Jesus Christ and his sovereign hand in this," Thomas Griffin said. "We have dependency on Him in his grace and mercy, and despite this tragedy, there is hope." Meanwhile, Jessica Griffin also recited a Bible verse that has given the family spiritual comfort. "In Psalms, it says -- the Lord is close to those who are broken and crushed in spirit," she said. Griffin's mother expressed what seemed to be the sentiment of everyone who knew him. "He was such a loving and giving person," Betty Griffin said. "He loved his family, he loved people, and he loved animals." In fact, Griffin is known around the Mississippi Delta for taking in wild animals -- possums, squirrels, ducks, owls, pigs, turkeys and the list goes on. Blinder Alfred, director of the Greenville Animal Shelter in Greenville, said Griffin was the most wonderful person in the world. "Any time, and I mean any time we would find wild animals, he would always say, 'Bring them to me,' and this would be for no pay," Alfred said. "His love for animals is so overwhelming, and Greenville will never be able to replace him." Along with aiding animals, Griffin also was ready and willing to assist anyone in need. He volunteered with the Hodding Carter YMCA, the Salvation Army and Special Olympics. He also was involved in an annual mission to Honduras, where he treated more than 1,140 in 4 1/2 days. Griffin also treated patients and filled prescriptions. In fact, he recently shared his story about his mission work in a speech before the Greenville Kiwanis Club, of which he was also was a member. On Jan. 9, Griffin was honored by his employees with the "Angel Among Us" award. While they presented him with the acknowledgment, tears streamed down his face. While getting an angel pinned on his shirt, Griffin said, "It is like a song by Greg Allman entitled 'I Am No Angel,' and none of us are, but I try to do as much stuff as I can, and I enjoy doing it." Griffin also said he couldn't do any of the things he does without his partner, Allen. "Everything I have done, I have always had help, and (Allen) is like a second father to me," he said. Allen said what he will miss most about his friend and medical colleague, is Griffin driving up to work every morning with four to five dogs in the back of his truck. "He would pull up and bring them in, and at the end of the day, he would load them back up to go home," Allen said. Wayne Bennett, from Avon, said he has known Griffin for 37 years, and there will never be enough good words to say about him. "We used to play in a band together when we were younger, and we would have to put him on a coke crate since he was too short to reach the mic," Bennett said. "He might have been short, but he was a big man." Gerald Husband, president of Greenville Kiwanis Club, said making a difference is what Griffin exemplified. "He loved James Taylor's 'You've Got a Friend,' and a lot of people had a friend in Richard," Husband said. On Wednesday night, Griffin's funeral arrangements were still pending at Boone-Wells Funeral Home in Greenville. The family will meet this morning to talk about when the funeral service will take place. Molly Morgan can be reached at (662) 378-0717 or molly@deltanewsroom.com. Obits: Griffin GREENVILLE — Funeral services for Dr. Richard Babb Griffin, 48, of Greenville, a veterinarian, will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Greenville. He died May 7, 2003, at University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Greenville, under the direction of Boone-Wells Funeral Home, Greenville. Dr. Griffin was a native of Greenville, where he graduated from Greenville Christian School. He then graduated from Mississippi State University in animal science. He then attended and graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980. After his graduation, he returned to Greenville, where he was employed with Allen and Allen Animal Hospital, and later became the sole owner of Allen and Griffin Animal Hospital. Richard was always volunteering with animal rescue and the local animal shelters. He volunteered at the Salvation Army at Christmas and Thanksgiving. He was an avid musician and was also a part of the Wabash Cannibals Blue Grass band. He was an avid conservationist of wildlife and land. He was instrumental in helping with the sister city partnership of Kronach, Germany, assisting the host families to provide lodging for visiting families. He was a member of the YMCA, where he had just become president, and a member of Kiwanis Club, where he served as lieutenant governor helping with the Special Olympics, being instrumental in bringing this to Greenville. He was a member of the American Red Cross, where he was a member of the chorus, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Alpha Psi Fraternity of Auburn University, and a member of First United Methodist Church of Greenville. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Walker Griffin of Greenville; one daughter, Jessica Lee Griffin of Greenville; one son, Richard Thomas Griffin of Greenville; his parents, Billy and Betty Griffin of Greenville; and three brothers, Bill Griffin of Booneville, Miss., Jim Griffin (Carol) of Baton Rouge, La., and Walter Griffin (Kim) of Starkville, Miss. Visitation will be Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Boone-Wells Funeral Home, Greenville. Memorials may be made to the Kiwanis Club, the Episcopal Medical Mission, the YMCA, the American Red Cross or First United Methodist Church.
Subject: amazing Richard Date: Sunday, May 11, 2003 12:33 AM Just to keep you informed... As I approached the funeral home, passing over the railroad tracks, I saw an amazing thing...there were cars upon cars filled in every space around the funeral home...there were people standing in double rows of lines nearly like a Disneyworld line, unbelievable that an everyday person could draw such a crowd of mourners. After lucking up and finding a parking space as someone left, I parked in front of the old Sunflower bldg. now known as the Welfare Office...as I came up to the line I saw the backside of Hilton O'Neal, he had just come out and was waiting on wife Susan and daughter, Amy...he and Susan and I stood in awe of the crowd..it was stunning...Zack was there too..Hilton left with family to go pick up folks arriving from the Honduras Mission, I had to leave soon to go to a wedding reception. Seeing that line, I decided to leave and come back later to try again, when the crowd had dropped down some. When I came back, sure enough, the crowd was down, I went inside and the entire area was filled with life photos of Richard- hunting, with his kids, parents, friends, young Richards, very young baby Richard, teen Richard, Adult Richard, Dr. Richard...all with that notable smile and those pretty blue eyes. I signed in and chatted with Bart Outzen and met Richard's mom. Betty Griffin, a small lady with a big smile, at first I did not know who she was, then realized it, as we chatted. I told her, as a mother, it must be amazing to see such a wonderful reaction to her son and she must be so proud. She was and her heart was truly touched at the outpour of Richard's friends from everywhere. I told her of our "Irish Wake" and she was pleased to know that Richard's friend's would want to be together to remember him together. Entering the room the senses were filled with the fragrant flowers...soo many flowers!!!!! The casket was closed and covered with beautiful flowers as well. After a moment of waiting in line I spoke with Mary Ann and expressed my condolences and good thoughts of Richard. She appreciated the idea of the wake as well. I met Richard's son, good looking fella..and saw his daughter..a real beauty. I saw Warren Hammett there as well as Barry Piltz, encouraged them both to come downtown, Warren said he planned to make it and wanted to bring James Hodges of GHS 72, which I of course said "Yes of course, bring him!" and then headed downtown. Irene Brocato Ezelle, her husband Ken, Dewitt Felts, wife Lou, Zack Smith and his sister Stephanie, Allan Lane, wife Laura, Nina Kuhn Martin and her husband (?oops) were there and later Warren and James came along, not long after that Buddy Shepherd and David Henry (Cheryl's husband-Cheryl could not make it) arrived. It was a nice group and Richard was definitely talked of. Lloyd Hoover is a Security guard there, turns out, he was in the vehicle that Richard passed that fateful night. He told us the true grit story....it was around 8:45, a Tahoe passed their vehicle going very fast as they both traveled Old Leland Rd.heading east towards Leland. The curve for the area leading to the bridge known as "Fish Lake Bridge" was in front of them. Richard was caught off guard and instead of turning back with the road to the bridge went straight across and lost control of his truck as it went straight into the area to the right of the bridge. The truck nose dived first and then flipped twice. Lloyd is a Volunteer Fireman and Chief of his crew, he and his guys got immediately out and did their best to get to the victim ASAP, of course it was too late, and Lloyd said he began to shake when he realized the victim was his good friend Richard, he desperately worked Richard with CPR and said he got his heart back working, but it was to no avail, it was hopeless in the condition that Richard was in, but they continued to try, contacted DRMC, the copter from the hospital came to get him to take him back for last ditch efforts, Hilton was with him at DRMC, Richard was taken to Jackson for efforts there, but there was no hope, and he was finally pronounced dead around 4:30AM....then the grieving began. Tomorrow, I suspect this city will see a funeral beyond all that have ever occurred here before, I have no doubt that it will be beyond anyone's imagination of the outpour of love for their friend Richard, the Dad Richard, the husband Richard, the son Richard, the brother Richard, the animal doctor, Doctor Richard Griffin. He has touched many, many lives and all in very quiet ways. Jennifer
"A river
of cars, a sea of people Riding with Cheryl Perdue Henry to the Church, arriving soon after two o'clock in the afternoon, funeral began at three, a river of cars lined up already for the procession to the cemetery. Thank goodness we got there early, nearly not early enough. Cheryl and I were directed to the balcony area of the church. The downstairs was either filled or reserved. The balcony filled quickly, as I sat there observing a sea of people fill the church and soon it was standing room only, The organist played, the reserved seats filled with family and members of the Kiwanis (one of Richard's favorite clubs). The preacher began with the expected usual prayers and psalms, Deanna Harper, the soloist, sang "Amazing Grace". The preacher told of funny stories of Richard that he personally knew...hunting stories, church stories...the fact that Richard was the only person he knew, who instead of guard dogs had guard turkeys! ...He said Richard's home rivaled the San Diego zoo for all of the animals in and around his home. They were good stories and created lots of smiles through the ocean of tears. A close friend, Thomas Watts, came next, he too had his stories, each told of the love of Richard for his family, friends, music, church, animals, hunting, fishing and cooking. Richard loved any reason to have friends over and cook and was subject to show up on Mary Ann with no forewarning and a house full of hungry folks. Richard was involved in many endeavors-Kiwanis, YMCA, Animal Shelter, etc., his work, his music, and performed any chance he could. The preacher played a previous recording from a year ago, with Richard singing his version of "Will The Circle be unbroken..... By and By Lord by and by", we all held hands and later clapped along with the music ...and we smiled to hear Richard enjoying his music. At the end, friend Bart Outzen and a soloist, (I forget his name) performed Richard's favorite song..."You've got a friend" written by his favorite artist James Taylor. The preacher summed up the loss of a great man and ended with the Lord's prayer. The procession of Pallbearers were first to leave the church, then family, then friends. The cars became a traffic jam, as we tried to leave
the parking lot areas. Cheryl had to return home, so we did not head out to the Greenlawn
cemetery with the procession. After being returned to my car, I drove out to the cemetery,
I could see the grave site from the highway. East side, midway of the front, on the exit
side of the driveway, (not far from my family members-Father and brother, ancestors), but
the cars were lined up so deep and far from the burial area that instead, I decided to go
to where it all happened. I went to Richard's last living place on this earth. I drove
down to the end of Seven Oaks Road and there to the right I saw a small wreath of Looking down Old Leland Road, it was very clear how it happened. The ruts of Richard's vehicle could still be seen from the road and to where his truck landed. Just a moment of not taking time for seat belts, not paying attention or not anticipating his location in the road as he was passing Lloyd Hoover's vehicle, that dark night, to not realize the curve BEFORE Fish Lake bridge was upon him. Instead of veering left with the road, he went straight. The road is built up for the curves' side and going straight, he dropped off, front end first and the vehicle flipped over and landed near the field of new crops. One slight turn of the wheel and he might have been Ok, but for whatever reason, it did not happen that way. For whatever reason, he was called home. I stood there wondering...what could he have been thinking? was he on his cell? reaching for something, just distracted in his thoughts of getting to his ill patient at the Leland Animal Clinic and in a hurry? We will never really know, but he was on his own mission that night to care for a sick animal and that is what Richard loved to do best. A man does not always choose what his guardian angel intends. - St. Thomas Aquinas Jennifer goto DELTAliberty homepage |
