January 29, 2022, 58, La Grange –
Walter Charles Griffith, 58, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Walter was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Charles Forrest Griffith and Mary Elizabeth Jones Griffith on October 4, 1963.
Walter’s life direction was sealed after Fleeta Collins traveled to East Carolina University to meet a friend. It was there that Walter met Fleeta, and he immediately knew that he was going to marry her. Their relationship flourished into a beautiful 36-year marriage and was blessed with three children. Life only got sweeter when his grandson came along, and nothing pleased him more than to hear Kayden ask him to lie down with him.
Life for Walter centered around the activities of his family. Whatever the kids were doing, you could rest assured that Walter would find a place to invest his time, efforts, and resources. Serving as a tee-ball coach and leading the La Grange Troop 114 of the Boy Scouts of America were two of many activities that started because Walter wanted to spend time with his kids. No prettier sound fell on Walter’s ears than the melodies sung by his children, and he took every opportunity to listen. Obsessively protective, he always wanted to know where his kids were, what they were up to, and never felt as comfortable as he did when he knew they were all in their place.
Christmas was Walter’s favorite holiday, mainly for the family time that accompanies the season. With a natural Santa Claus look, family time at Christmas established precious memories in the minds of his children. Jovial in spirit and loving a good joke, he was a bright spot in their daily lives and always had the ability to lighten the mood.
If Walter wasn’t spending time with his family, there was no better place to be than at work. He valued his role as Chief Finance Officer with Ham Farms as much as he was valued as an employee. With a natural knack for numbers and an ingrained affinity for finances, he took great pleasure in watching the stock market trends.
Stubborn to the core, Walter’s thoughts and ways were simple and rarely changed. He believed that life was best lived if you understood that life’s not fair, and it was your job to deal with it. Adhering to the basic principles laid out for us in the Ten Commandments was the only compass needed to ensure a right way of living. Coffee should be served strong, and fine cigars were worth the expense in purchasing. Only waiting to be asked, Walter was eager to help anyone in need. Although the “Yankee” could come out from time to time, he was always about fairness for all involved.
Many meals that brought Walter and his family together around the dinner table were spread with food prepared by him. Always grilling, he was a master at searing the perfect steak and smoking the tenderest barbecue. Cajun meals such as jambalaya and gumbo were also highlighted on the table, and his homemade mac and cheese was an excellent accompaniment to any meal. For Walter, there was no better ending to a delightful meal than Fleeta’s blueberry pie.
Walter’s taste in television was focused on comedies, but none ever compared to his favorite, The Andy Griffith Show. His affinity for music was much more eclectic, however, as he enjoyed the tunes of artists from country legend Hank Williams to the ballad rock of Molly Hatchett to the hard rock of AC-DC.
When it came to ECU football, Walter was their biggest fan. Not even the sportscasters could compare with Walter’s knowledge on the team’s stats, as he kept up-to-date with everything ECU football. His trips with friends to ball games was a highlight to which he looked forward each year.
A memorial service to remember Walter’s life will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 2:00 PM at La Grange First Missionary Baptist Church. A time of fellowship will follow the memorial service.
Walter is survived by his wife of 36 years, Fleeta Griffith; children, Walter Forrest Griffith, Fleeta Claire Griffith Cook and husband, Travis, and Elizabeth Austin Griffith and friend, D.J. Maynard; grandson, Kayden Forrest Griffith and his mother, Elizabeth Anderson; siblings, Sharon Whaley and husband, Ricky, Diana Mills and husband, Randy, and Charles Griffith and wife, Derin; and his faithful canine companion, Bob.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Boy Scouts of America Troop 114, La Grange. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
