Obituary: Georgia Alyce Griffin

On Monday, January 19, God reclaimed the spirit of Georgia Alyce Griffin, while a patient at Roane Medical Center, in Harriman. She only surrendered her body in death—for her soul will live forever. Her passion for the spiritual development of the youth was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

Born in Oliver Springs, on April 2, 1929, she was the seventh of eight children of the late Walter Joe Griffin and Laura Anna Crozier Griffin.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Marzel Griffin; and three sisters, Pauline Griffin Woods, Samretta Griffin Boulware Fritz, and Catheline Griffin Lide.

Her early education (grades 1-8) began at the Black Elementary School on Methodist Hill, in Oliver Springs. Her high school years (grades 9-12), were completed at Campbell High School in Rockwood.

She was employed by ORTEC Instrumentation, Inc. during the majority of her professional career.

At a young age, she united with Little Leaf Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member throughout her life. She was a member of the award winning Roddy Gospel Singers and the former Little Leaf Senior Choir, president of the Senior Missionary Society, leader of the Red Circle and Sunshine Band, leader of the Wednesday Night Youth Bible Study Groups, president of the Program Committee, served on the Budget/Finance Committee, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and for many years, she served in the kitchen on various occasions as long as her health permitted.

Georgia Alyce enjoyed cooking. For years, her home served as a haven of delicious meals and fellowship for her family, friends and anyone who wanted or needed a meal. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed reading the Bible. Her passion for the youth inspired her to start the Wednesday Evening Youth Bible Study in her home. This group grew to twenty-plus youth and adult helpers, and has been moved to the church. Presently, this group meets at the church, and is the “Little Leaf Youth Choir” and the “Red Circle and Sunshine Band Groups.”

Affectionately known as “Auntie George,” “Miss George,” “Alyce,” and “George Alyce,” she leaves to cherish a lifetime of memories, a brother and his wife, Bronce Odell and Barbara Griffin, and a sister, Alma Griffin Fletcher, all of Oliver Springs; nieces/godchildren Alicia Fletcher Johnson and Alyssa Johnson of Cincinnati, OH; a godson Jeff Hall of Oak Ridge; Drs. Larry (Valerie) Boulware of Spotsylvania, VA, Dr. Ebony Boulware-Johnson of Raleigh, NC, Joy Boulware of Boston, MA, Dr. Raleigh James (Melva) Boulware of Columbia, S.C., Raleigh (Renee) Boulware, of Atlanta, GA, Drs. Kala (Keith) Gray of Knoxville, Peter (Kensi) Boulware of Tallahassee, FL, Michael (Jessica) Boulware of Columbia, SC, Broncine (Steve) Carter of Laurel, MD, Monika and Isaiah Cope of Lanham, MD, Ronolda (Robert) Dooley of Falls Church, VA; Gregory (Mitzi) Griffin of Oliver Springs, Amanda (Yak) Weaver, and Jessica Griffin of Murfreesboro; and Joshua Griffin of Nashville, Tyrone and Khole Fritz of Oliver Springs, Nylah Brewer of Portland, OR, Anthony Fritz of Oliver Springs, Adrian (Melinda) Fletcher of Charlotte, NC, Candace Fletcher of San Diego, CA, Nicholas (Aniye) Fletcher of Oak Ridge, Joe Bradley (Marilyn) Griffin, Chilae Frazier all of Knoxville, Charles (Heli) Frazier of San Diego, CA; Attorney Kenneth Fritz of Chattanooga; Marcus Fritz of Nashville; VaNita, Harry, and Adriana Boston of Oliver Springs, Dr. Tchad (Suzanne) and Keith Griffin of Knoxville, Pauletta Fletcher of Riverdale, GA; Kenneth Knaff of Washington, D.C., Laura (Jeremy) Henderson of Maryville, Tiffany Boyd of Nashville, Tasha Boyd of Knoxville, and Ebony Fletcher of Chattanooga, Yolanda, Eli and Raven Woods of Oak Ridge, Alicia (Calvin), Alyssa, Arianna, Amaya and Aurielle Johnson of Cincinnati, OH, Elizzabeth (Douglas)Lemons and Ana Heavens of Oliver Springs; cousins, Julian and Benton Hopper Families of Oliver Springs, and her California Family; the children and grandchildren of Bertha Hall Family of Oak Ridge, special cousin, Nannie Hopper of Oliver Springs; special friends, Eva Lovelady of Cincinnati, OH, Myrtle Carnegie, Edward Moran, and Robert Nelson all of Oliver Springs, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family received friends Saturday, January 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by the funeral at 12 p.m. with Elder Thomas W. Dews officiating, at Little Leaf Missionary Baptist Church, 228 East Tri-County Boulevard in Oliver Springs. Burial followed at the Carter’s Bluff Cemetery in Oliver Springs.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.