Melvin Lee Griffin

Melvin Lee Griffin, 72, of Otwell, died Saturday morning, April 11, 2009, in Randolph County while turkey hunting. He was born near Jonesboro on March 10, 1937 to Bernard and Essie Anderson Griffin.

Melvin was a retired farmer, a member of Otwell Christian Church, and was a veteran of the Arkansas National Guard. He was a 1956 graduate of Valley View High School where he was a member of the 1956 State High School Basketball Championship team. Melvin set a state tournament scoring record during the ’56 tournament.

Melvin was an inductee of the Valley View High School Hall of Honor, and was a former member of the Valley View Ruritan Club.

Survivors include his wife, Glenda Clines Griffin of the home;

3 daughters and sons-in-law: Shelia and Gregg Garner of Dixie, Lisa and Toby Emerson, and Cindy and Tony Elmore, all of Jonesboro;

1 brother, Virgil Griffin of Hardy;

5 grandchildren: Ashley Garner, Aaron Garner, Sydney Elmore, Dean Elmore and Amanda Emerson, all of Jonesboro; and

2 nieces and 4 nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2:00 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Mitch Ford and Jim Roberts officiating. Burial will follow in McDaniel Cemetery.

Active pallbearers include: Gregg Garner, Tony Elmore, Toby Emerson, Aaron Garner, Tince Sharp, Radius Baker and Rick Coleman. Honorary pallbearers include: Dr. Michael Isaacson, members of the 1956 Senior Class and the 1956 senior basketball team at Valley View High School and Coach Grover Cooper.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 4:30-7:00 at Emerson Funeral Home.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Melvin Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Valley View High School, 2131 Valley View Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72404.

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