Ben Griffin

Benjamin Franklin Griffin went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, from his home in Middle Valley near Hixson.He was born on Feb. 4, 1928 in the Rossville area of Chattanooga, to James Luther Griffin and Lillie Willielee Wooden Griffin.Ben graduated from Lakeview (Georgia) High School in 1945, served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948, and, in 1948, began a 37-year career at DuPont Nylon Plant in Hixson. He married Carolyn Patterson on Feb. 14, 1951, and children soon followed: David in 1952, Elaine in 1954, and Brian in 1957. He worked hard to provide for his family both at DuPont and in his own home building business. Yet he found time for swimming, boating, and camping with his family and stock car races with his boys. After his retirement from DuPont in 1985, he became a full-time volunteer, building and remodeling church buildings and other ministry facilities (in TN, GA, MI, Honduras, and Mexico), serving on Southern Baptist disaster relief teams (in Florida, Tennessee and along the Mississippi River), assisting with Chattanoogas AIDS hospice, and participating in The Gideons International (speaking in churches and distributing Bibles in Tennessee and New York City). He was a member of Middle Valley Baptist Church for 50 years, singing bass in the choir, serving as a deacon, and investing countless hours in care of the facilities. He is remembered by family and friends for his servant heart, generous spirit, honesty and integrity, and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Patterson Griffin; and three children: son Dr. David (Ellen) Griffin, of Georgetown, Texas; daughter, Dr. Elaine (Randy) Amberson, of Soddy-Daisy, and son, Brian (Amy) Griffin, of Knoxville. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Dr. Joshua (Elizabeth) Griffin, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Jonathan (Ashley) Griffin, of Sanderson, Texas, Ezra (Dr. Rose) Griffin, of St. Louis, Mo., Miriam Griffin, of Knoxville and Maryana Galindez, of Soddy-Daisy.The family would like to express appreciation for the wonderful care provided by Hospice of Chattanooga and by the pastor and members of Middle Valley Baptist Church.Visitation will be in the front chapel of Middle Valley Baptist Church today, Oct. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m.The funeral will be in the same chapel at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 7, with Dr. David Griffin and Pastor Gary Scott officiating. Entombment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.Memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379.