David Oliver Griffin

David Oliver Griffin, 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2023. David was born February 7, 1947, in Nash County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Thetney Griffin and his infant son, Jonathan Kerby. David was known for always looking on the bright side of things, seeing the big picture in situations, having a great sense of humor, and for being kind, thoughtful, and generous. David was the proud father of two sons, Drew and Josh, and the loving grandfather of four grandchildren—Thomas, Natalie, Mallory, and Loralee. The love of his life was his wife Lynn, his high school sweetheart. After graduating from Spring Hope High School in 1965, David attended Wesleyan College and NC State University where he graduated with honors with a BS degree in Agricultural Economics. David began his career with First Union Bank in Wilson, NC, but soon left to join the Marine Reserves. He entered Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia and graduated as a Second Lieutenant. He spent the next six years in the Reserves, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. Returning to First Union Bank after his active duty, David worked in Wilson and Clinton in their Agri-Business department and in Raleigh as a branch manager. He left First Union and worked for People’s Bank & Trust as a branch manager in Bailey and as Vice President and City Executive in Zebulon. David was a farmer at heart and in 1980, after twelve years in banking, he returned to the Peachtree community, bought his family’s farm, and spent the next 40 years farming. His first tobacco crop was in 1981. He farmed in Nash and Franklin counties until retiring from farming in 2021. During the 80’s, he also contracted with Perdue Farms and raised poultry for thirty years, enjoying a long and enjoyable relationship with Perdue. David was actively involved in several farm organizations. He was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of Nash County Farm Bureau, serving as Vice President, Secretary, Chairman of Building and Grounds, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and various other committees. He also served on the Board of Directors of Halifax Mutual Insurance Company in Halifax County from the mid 90’s, where he said he learned more than he contributed. At his death, David was Chairman of the Nash County Commissioners Agricultural Advisory Board. In these and other organizations, he served with quiet leadership and a eye to the future of farming. Early in his farming career, David joined the Tobacco Growers Association of NC as a board member. He was proud to have worked several years on that organization’s tobacco buy-out committee. In this role, he traveled to Washington, DC, met with Congressmen, and gained the cooperation of other farm organizations to make the buy-out program—a program paid for by tobacco companies—become a reality in 2004. The buy-out allowed some farmers to discontinue growing tobacco while providing better opportunities for those who continued to grow “the golden leaf.” David’s most important association over the years was his membership at Peachtree Baptist Church, where he was a life-long member except for brief times when he lived outside the community and served in other churches. At Peachtree, he sang in the choir, was a long term deacon, and was church treasurer from 1983 until 2023 when he resigned for health reasons. His greatest pleasure was serving as chairman of the building committee for the building of a new church after a devastating fire destroyed the existing church in 2004. The present church building was completed in 2007 and the mortgage was repaid in 2009. David was also instrumental in purchasing property to allow future expansion of Peachtree Church. David had a unique gift of whistling and used his talent whistling hymns at church and at funerals. He even whistled the national anthem at a basketball game at Shenandoah College in Winchester, VA. That performance was shown on the local TV station. David loved to whistle and could often be heard whistling as he went about his daily activities. Left to cherish David’s memory are Lynn, his loving wife of 55 years, and his sons Drew (Jennifer) and Josh (Kristina), grandchildren Thomas, Natalie, Mallory, and Loralee Griffin, his brothers Randell (Janice) and Melvin (Signe), sister Brenda Joyner (Billy), sister-in-law Phyllis Dickinson (Keith), brother-in-law Billy Joyner (Brenda), many beloved nieces and nephews and their families, and countless friends and colleagues. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Peachtree Baptist Church with Rev. Eugene Whitehouse and Dr. Wendy Minton Edwards officiating at 2:00pm. Interment to follow in church cemetery. As it was David’s wish, after the interment, everyone is invited to gather in the church fellowship hall to visit with the family and share food and fellowship.

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David Oliver Griffin

February 7, 1947 - November 27, 2023