Mrs. Melanie Elaine Raiford Griggs died April 5 in Rockdale County. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur (Shirley) Raiford Jr., she was born in 1962 in Goldsboro, N.C. Mrs. Griggs joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Goldsboro at an early age. She graduated from Goldsboro High School and from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor of science. She received a master's degree from the University of Georgia. Mrs. Griggs was employed by Veterans Administration Hospital and Newton Medical Center as a dietician. She later worked for the Newton County School system, working for 9 years at Veterans Memorial as a family and consumer science teacher. She was an active member of the Georgia Association of Educators and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, pioneering a graduate chapter in Covington, Chi Tau Omega. After moving to Covington she became a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, the Sara Allen Sunday School Class and the Christian Education Department.
Surviving are husband Howard Griggs; children Devin and Jared Griggs; step-daughters Miya and Jasmine Griggs; parents Arthur and Shirley Raiford Jr.; sister Scottie Raiford Dowdy; brother Kelvin Lamont Raiford; father-in-law Agustus Griggs Sr.; mother-in-law Lena M. Griggs; sisters-in-law Annie Jane Griggs, Dr. and Mrs. Melvin (Gussie) Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry (Nettie) Baker; brothers-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Agustus Griggs Jr., Jessie James Griggs, Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Griggs, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Griggs, Willie Griggs, Bobby Griggs; uncle Mr. Herbert (Gaynell) Uzzell; special nephews and nieces Kendrick L. Dowdy, Wesley L. Dowdy, Dedric Baker, Rodrick (Shakila) Baker, Jeremy Baker, Cenetta Baker, Mikers Franklin, Kimberly Griggs, Breeana Griggs, Adrienne Waheed; special friends Mona Lisa Pinkney, Jocelyn Harris, Dorothy Moore, Viney Scott, the Rev. Darlene Smith, the Chi Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. April 10 at St. Paul AME Church with the Rev. Thomas Stegall, the Rev. Darlene Smith and the Rev. Marie Davis officiating. Interment followed at Lawnwood Memorial Park.
The Covington News
April 11, 2008
