AMERICUS — Mr. James R. Griffith Jr., age 89, passed away April 26, 2017, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center in Americus, Ga. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017, in the Martha McDonald Moore Chapel at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center. The Rev. Sommer Bower and the Rev. John Walker will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2017, at Lake View Memory Gardens in York, South Carolina. The Rev.  David Bauknight will officiate.

Mr. James Griffith was born Sept. 17, 1927, in Union, South Carolina, to his parents, James Robert Griffith Sr. and Emma Ponder Griffith. He was a United States Army veteran. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wofford College. He then pursued and received a master’s degree in hospital administration from Georgia State University. He was a member of several professional organizations including Georgia Board of Directors with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Columbus and Atlanta, American College of Healthcare Executives, and Board of Directors for Transportation of South Carolina. He also received many honors and awards for his work. He was an honor graduate of hospital administration from Georgia State University. He was also awarded the Palmetto Patriot from the Lieutenant Governor’s office for “Outstanding Work in Gerontology.” He was a presidential nominee for White House Council on Aging in 1995.He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Americus, where he served as a past deacon.

James Griffith was preceded in death by his father James Robert Griffith Sr. and his mother Emma Ponder Griffith, as well as five siblings. Survivors include his wife, Marianne Shannon Griffith of Americus, Ga.; one son, Jimbo Griffith III (Patti) of Americus, Ga.; one daughter, Shannon Griffith Preston (Ward) of North Carolina; one sister, Mary Emma Jarrett of Hickory, North Carolina; three grandchildren, Jake Griffith (Katie), Jami Griffith Welch (Josh), Kate Griffith; and one great-grandchild, Anna Leigh Welch. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The League of Good Samaritan, Care of Magnolia Manor, 2001 S. Lee St., Americus GA 31709.

Aldridge Funeral Services, 612 Rees Park, Americus, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book and express your condolences to the family go to www.aldridgefuneralservices.com.