JOHN W. GRIFFIN

BIXBY, Okla. John W. Griffin died Monday, Oct. 23, 2000, in Tulsa, Okla. He was 66.

Mr. Griffin was born in Laurel. He served in the Army for 21 years. During the Korean War, he was in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, “Screaming Eagles,” during Vietnam. After retiring from the military, he was employed with Safeway for 15 years and with the U.S. Post Office for 12 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from the American Christian College.

He was a member of Bixby Free Will Baptist Church in Bixby, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ervin Griffin.

He is survived by his wife, Dian Griffin of Bixby; three sons, Warren Patrick Griffin of Claremore, Okla., Ervin Franklin Griffin of Nashville, Tenn., and Christopher John Griffin of Bixby; his mother, Lilla Mae Griffin of Bay Springs; two sisters, Joyce Alexander of Bay Springs and Billie Dorris Brown of Vicksburg; and six grandchildren.

Services were at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000, at Bixby Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Brian Gilbert officiating. Burial followed at Bixby Cemetery under the direction of Bixby Funeral Service.

Pallbearers were Jared Smith, Jerod Hicks, Ray Tate, Phil Foxbrich, David Helms and Dan Samars.

Honorary pallbearers were Herschel Edwards and Travis Helms.

RUTH WRIGHT WALLACE

Ruth Wright Wallace died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000, at ParkView Regional Medical Center. She was 77.

Mrs. Wallace was self-employed before retiring. She was a member of Greater Northside M.B. Church in Jackson where she was on the mother board.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Ollie Cage Wright; a brother, Cleveland Wright; and a great-grandson, Tiny R. Lampkin Jr.

She is survived by a son, the Rev. Eddie Wallace Jr. of Vicksburg; five brothers, Nathan Wright and Clifton Wright, both of Chicago, James Wright and Percy Hall Jr., both of Vicksburg, and Ernest L. Hall of Milwaukee, Wis.; five sisters, Corine W. Coins of Jackson, Millie Strong, Natalie Hall, Lureatha Hall Moore and Mary Ellen Hall, all of Vicksburg; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.