Robert Griffith

| Robert Wallace Griffith Sr., 99, of Fitzgerald Health Center, Arbor Acres United Methodist Home, formerly of Fairway Drive, Lexington, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, at the Center. A service celebrating his life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church by the Dr. Lee Zehmer. Mr. Griffith was born in Charlotte on December 14, 1907, to Rufus White Griffith and Augusta Willis Griffith. He attended Erskine College in Dew West, S.C. and North Carolina State College and remained a loyal supporter of both. He was first employed with Standard Oil Company in Charlotte in 1929 and later was transferred to Lexington to operate the local bulk plant. During World War II he was relocated to Clarkton, NC for two years. He returned to Lexington in 1944 and reopened the plant here and later purchased the business in 1953 from Standard Oil forming Griffith Oil Company. Mr. Griffith retired in 1977 with 48 years of service with Standard Oil/Exxon. After retirement he enjoyed being a member of the Over the Hill Coffee Club, playing golf, traveling and his volunteer work with meals on wheels and other charitable organizations. He was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church for 68 years serving as Deacon and Elder and also on various other committees. Later he was bestowed the honor of Elder Emeritus. He was a member of Lexington Memorial 473 Masonic Lodge, a life member of the Lexington Rotary Club and received the Paul Harris Fellowship. His wife of 67 years, Geneva Dozier Griffith, who died September 11, 2000, and a son, Robert Griffith Jr, preceded Mr. Griffith in death. Surviving are his daughter, Gloria Griffith Bulluck of Lexington; son, Larry Griffith and wife, Betsy, of High Point; daughter-in-law, Susan Griffith of Morehead City; grandchildren, Susan Linder Foster and husband, Marshall, of Winston-Salem, Jenny Griffith Luper and husband, Allen, of Wilmington, Scott Linder and wife, Alyson, of Longwood, Fl., Heather Griffith Hughes and husband, Chip, of New Bern, Robbie Griffith and wife, Vanessa, of Mt. Holly, Meg Griffith of Chapel Hill, David Griffith of Morehead City, and Jeff Griffith of High Point; and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 11 at Davidson Funeral Home and 30 minutes prior to the service at the church parlor. Other times they will be at the home of his daughter at 216 Bremen Drive. The family would like to thank the staff of the Fitzgerald Health Center of Arbor Acres for their kindness during Mr. Griffith’s residency. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 586, Lexington, NC 27293 or to the donor’s favorite charity.