Jean S. Griffin

Jean Stith Griffin, 89, of Wilson, died Monday, July 21, 2025.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Thursday, July 24, 7:00 PM, at Winstead United Methodist Church, followed by visitation.

Jean grew up in a small blue-collar family with her parents and one sister. She played the trumpet in her middle school band and later became a majorette in high school. She loved acting and performing in front of crowds and wanted to become a movie star, although she eventually applied to become an airline stewardess. Soon after that, she met the love of her life, Bill, the baseball star, at the famous Creamery Restaurant in the mid 50’s. She and Bill later married in August of 1956, and since Bill came from a large family with eight brothers and three sisters, they soon started their own family eventually having three daughters and two sons.

She worked at Swift and Co., which later became Dinner Bell Foods, for 27 years. After leaving Dinner Bell, she worked for several years at Food Lion and 1st Natl Bank, and finally retired from Sprint Yellow Pages after 10 years of service. Jean quickly found retirement wasn’t for her, so she began working for her son, Carey, in the insurance business until back surgery confined her to a wheel chair.

Jean was very active in her younger years, and being adventurous, wasn’t afraid to try something new. She loved children and started the first Rock Ridge cheerleading group, and also coached a Wilson little league baseball team when her sons started playing ball.

She directed the Winstead United Methodist Church choir for 30 years, played handbells for over 25 years, directed all the youth plays at the church, and also enjoyed directing many weddings during that time. She had a gorgeous soprano voice and sang and traveled with the Wilson Chorale group for many years. She loved sports, and attended most of her grandkids sporting events as often as she could.

Jean never met a stranger and loved talking with folks and meeting new people. She loved her church, church family and God. She was truly a unique and loving person and will be missed by many.

She is survived by her children, Vicky Harper (Joe) of Wilson, Robin Lomax of Wilson, Carey Griffin (Cathy) of Wilson, B.J. Griffin-Parker of Wilson, and Greg Griffin (Sonya) of Kenly; grandchildren, Caroline and Garrett Harper, Hannah Lomax, Colton and Connor Griffin, Griffin Parker, and McKenna Griffin.

Mrs. Griffin was preceded in death by her husband, William Carey Griffin, and her parents, Raymond and Addie Mae Sullivan Stith; sister, Joan Hartley.

The family request all in attendance to wear bright colors.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Winstead United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 1851 Airport Blvd NW, Wilson, NC 27893.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com