Obituary: Dr. Edwin “Dale” Griffith – 1939-2008, Men’s Basketball 1957-58 – Sept. 20, 2008

Dr. Edwin “Dale” Griffith – 1939-2008

Dr. Edwin “Dale” Griffith, 69, of Woodstock, Ga., formerly of Ashland, went to his heavenly home with our gracious Father God on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, after his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He is survived by his loving wife, Myra; son, Gregory Alan Griffith of Destin, Fla.; daughter, Dr. Marla Haller and a special son-in-law, Paul Haller of Jackson, Ohio; three grandsons, Zachary Haller (Sarah) of San Diego, Calif., Nathaniel and Caleb Haller; one great-grandson, Ayden; two sisters, Gaylena Griffith Slone of Ashland; and Loleda Griffith Staten of Cumming, Ga. Special memories will be cherished by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Born to the late Estill and Oma Griffith, May 7, 1939, Dale Graduated Ashland High School in 1957. He attended Southwestern Louisana University, Marshall University and later received his BA and MA in biblical studies and ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Ga. Dale also earned his Doctorate of biblical studies from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in Camilla, Ga., and was about to receive a second doctoral from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Ind.

Upon retiring from Armco Steel Corporation, Ashland Works, in 1990, Dale was called into the full-time ministry. He served as chaplain to Ramey Children’s Home and the Hack Estep Home for Boys, was pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Louisa and was appointed as church growth and evangelism consultant to the Home Mission Service and served in the Mission Service Corp. for the North American Mission Board.

In 1994, Dale joined the staff at First Baptist Church in Woodstock as minister of the evangelism and prayer and was co-founder of Messengers for Christ to assist pastors and their congregations in church growth, evangelism, prayer and to fulfill the Great Commission Mandate. In addition to fulfilling his duties with Messengers for Christ, he also served as an adjunct professor for 12 years at Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta and chaplain at Kennesaw Transportation in White, Ga.

Traveling and ministering throughout the United States, Europe, Russia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean, Dale loved to share God’s love with everyone he came in contact with and never missed an opportunity to lead “just one more person” to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Dale was also known for his many years umpiring Babe Ruth and College Baseball throughout the southeastern United States.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Steen Funeral Home, 1501 Central avenue.

Dale’s “homegoing celebration” will be at Unity Baptist Church, 2320 29th Street, Ashland, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, where he will lie in state for one hour before the service with the Rev. Harold Cathey officiating. Internment will be in Ashland Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel.

A special memorial celebration will be at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 11095 Highway 92 in Woodstock, led by Dr. Johnny Hunt.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Messengers for Christ, Inc. Attn: Dan Vencill, 4625 Daphne Court, Ashland.

Steen Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhome.com.

Information obtained from www.dailyindependent.com  Obituaries  Sept. 21

Athletic Network Footnote: Dale attended the Shipley Reunion in 2001 and was a proud member of the first wave of Shipley recruits from Ashland, Ky. He returned the day after the final day of the reunion and wanted to see all the new buildings on campus and learn of the new offerings, programs, and activities of the university. One special treat was him returning later that day so we could take a walking tour of Bourgeois Hall.  He had some wonderful ideas about the integration of the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives.  Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends. He was a very special person.

Howard Humphreys contacted the Athletic Network and provided the sources of information.  Thank you, Howard.

The information below was obtained from the Ashland 1957 High School Website at www.ashland57.myevent.com