A candle was lit by Wray Palmore
on January 14, 2018 12:25 PM
A candle was lit by Jimmy Lynch - HMA '84
on January 13, 2018 8:52 PM
A candle was lit by Rhonda Gibson Gammon
on January 13, 2018 6:16 PM
A candle was lit by Travis and Brenda White
on January 13, 2018 5:33 PM
A candle was lit by Rodney Younger #84
on January 13, 2018 4:46 PM
A candle was lit by Sarah (Hupp) Loftin
on January 13, 2018 4:44 PM
A candle was lit by Greg & Lynn Dawson
on January 13, 2018 4:34 PM
Message from Foster & Kim Hamiltom
January 13, 2018 4:28 PM
Rev Griffin was a great man, and his kindness and generosity to his church, community and Hargrave stand as a testament to his service and faith. We are thinking and praying for Your family.
A candle was lit by HMA Class of 1982
on January 13, 2018 4:23 PM
Message from Mary and Comp Shelton
January 8, 2018 8:53 AM
Julian and his family were wonderful friends when we lived in Chatham and were part of the Hargrave Military family. We know that he will be missed by so many friends and his family. Fond memories will be a source of comfort now and in the coming days!
Message from Mary and Comp Shelton
January 8, 2018 8:53 AM
Julian and his family were wonderful friends when we lived in Chatham and were part of the Hargrave Military family. We know that he will be missed by so many friends and his family. Fond memories will be a source of comfort now and in the coming days!
Message from Pamela de Friess
January 7, 2018 3:52 PM
Betty and Rev. Griffin's family,
Please accept my sympathy in your loss of Rev. Griffin. Rev. Griffin was our interim pastor at Cane Creek Baptist Church. My husband, Ray, had been diagnosed with cancer and he spent time prior to the morning service talking with Julian, which seemed to comfort Ray. Ray requested Julian speak at his funeral service.
I will miss seeing Julian occasionally as I did a few months ago when he spoke at Cane Creek.
A candle was lit by Mike Smith
on January 7, 2018 10:10 AM
Message from Nora Lea Rogers Reefe
January 6, 2018 10:28 PM
For Patty and Becky Jane and Betty
I wanted you two and Betty to know just how much Julian meant to me and my family especially since circumstances will keep most of us away from his funeral service Relatives also wanted me to share my feelings .
I am in deep mourning for the one person who shaped my life in more ways than even my parents— a man who became the only totally unrelated person to become an “unofficial” member of my family’s clan...that “Rogers clan of Spring Garden VA.”
Our beloved Reverend Julian Griffin has passed on, and none of us want to say goodby yet. I was a preteen when he came into my life, and had just been tapped to play the piano for our little country Baptist Church. He was young, but our first choir practice with him transported all of us into another world! God had surely given him the voice of an angel, not only in his musical talent, but also in his ability to deliver a sermon that persons of all ages were able to relate to. Julian could have made music his life’s ministry, and been well-known throughout country, but he chose to use his voice for the benefit of a small rural community in southern Virginia. We were so blessed that God directed him to us.
Our family immediately adopted him, and he came to almost every Sunday dinner, every holiday celebration, every marriage or funeral, and presided over the weddings of almost all of us, even leading the Lord’s Prayer at my Catholic service, for which, in the 1960’s, he needed the permission of the Pope!
He was my spiritual counselor even after I went to college, and he supported and encouraged me on my journey from Protestantism to Catholicism during my sophomore year. He helped my family understand and appreciate my conversion which was a major turning point in my life, that occurred two years before I met the Catholic man who would become my husband. Julian helped me determine whether this passage was the right decision for me, by asking questions, accepting my answers, and asking again to be sure.
Julian has been with me through every difficult time in my life, and he has celebrated every happy event, every special occasion, and ever so many every day mundane experiences that we all encounter. He has been much like an older brother during my adult life, always there, always available, always wise.
His listening ear, inspiring advice, caring consolations, and heartfelt hugs will be missed by so many, but in particular by my extended family of siblings and cousins for whom he was truly a member of the family. His uplifting prayers taught us the meaning of compassion, and his love of music has helped us honor and praise God through that medium. My mother’s only funeral request was to have Julian sing “Beulah Land” at her gravesite, which he so bravely did in 2015.
Julian visited us multiple times in both Linville and Boca Grande and loved both these places, as he loved all the world that God created. Although he suffered much tragedy in his own personal life, he never forgot that God is in charge of everything that happens, accepting his tragedies with grace and consoling those of us who sought to console him.
Ed and I went to Mass tonight and were deeply touched by the choice of one of the hymns that was one of Julian’s favorites...focusing on going to the “promised land”
Why are we never ready to let those we love complete their journey to the promised land, when, after all, we Christians try to live a life that will lead us to heaven? I am especially sad that I will be unable to attend his funeral on Monday for health reasons, and that he had to cancel his last visit with us this past fall. His death came suddenly after a serious fall just a few days ago, and only hours after going to Hospice. One of the best of God’s creations has left this world. And we are sad to see him go. I and my family wish him Godspeed oh his way to meet all our deceased relatives who have been waiting for him,
A candle was lit by Linda (Rogers) Harrill and Ginger (Rogers) Ferrell
on January 6, 2018 2:34 PM
Message from Kay barnes
January 6, 2018 12:20 PM
My heart is broken into on the l o s s of Julian. He has been in my life ever since I was 14. He baptized me when I was 14. I will truly miss him and his wonderful voice. He loved Chestnut level choir you will always be in my heart of the great memories that we have together singing was one of them. Rest in peace sweet man we all love you very much thank you so much for your service and your wonderful smile we will truly miss love and prayers go out to his family at this sad time. May it be a comfort to know how many lives Julian touched
A candle was lit by Kay
on January 6, 2018 12:14 PM
Message from Nora Lea Reefe
January 6, 2018 12:08 PM
I am so Heart-broken by the loss of my trusted mento,r, advisor, and long time friend, Julian, who has inspired me so often, been there for me through many trials and journeys, and given me a chest to cry on, to laugh on and to hug. He was perhaps my closest companion in all my religious endeavors. I will miss him more than words can express. I am also deeply wounded that I will be unable to come to his service for health reasons if my own. That also breaks my heart and I hope you all know that I would be there if I possibly could. My love to you all.
Message from J.T. AND VONDA EARLEY
January 6, 2018 9:51 AM
REST IN PEACE PASTOR GRIFFIN
A candle was lit by Wanda and Harry palmer
on January 5, 2018 8:09 PM