Rev. Gary Demetri Griggs

Reverend Gary Demetrius Griggs affectionally known as “Boobie”, a resident of the Whatley Community, was born on October 4, 1957, in Pensacola, Florida, to the late Joe Davis (Annie
Boulware) Griggs, Sr. and Elizabeth B. (Tommie Lee) Ellis. He answered the Master's call on December 27, 2024, at Mobile Infirmary Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. He was preceded in death
by his parents and one brother, Joe Davis Griggs, Jr.
Rev. Griggs accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Mackey Branch #1 Baptist Church in Gosport, Alabama. He attended both grade school and high school in Pensacola,
Florida, and served in the United States Army. His educational achievements include graduating from B.T. Washington High School in Pensacola, Florida, the U.S. Army School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia, and the U.S. Army Primary Leadership Course at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he trained to supervise and develop personnel for various roles. Additionally, he graduated
from Reid State in Evergreen, Alabama, where he completed a CDL Drivers course that focused on the professional transport of passengers and cargo.
For over 40 years, Rev. Griggs was a professional church musician, serving various churches throughout Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, working primarily with church members of both
genders. He held the position of head musician for the 1st District, Women Convention, Bethel Baptist Association, and Penn’s Funeral Home. His employment included a five-year stint as a
driver for Standard Furniture Company in Bay Minette, Alabama, and he worked as a cement finisher. He was the former pastor of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Scyrene, Alabama,
and served as the Associate Minister of Mackey Branch #1 Baptist Church. Later, he was appointed pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama, until he was called home.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lena Johnson Griggs of Whatley, Alabama; sons Demetrius Griggs, Jr. and Maurice Danelle Griggs of Pensacola, Florida, Terrell Dewayne
Phillips of Montgomery, Alabama, Jessy (Brianna) Johnson of Birmingham, Alabama, and Terry Terrel (Shatara) Johnson of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; one daughter, Katrina Johnson of Ocean
Springs, Mississippi; one brother, David (Audrey) Maxwell of Killeen, Texas; one sister, Minister Gianna Ellis of Latham, Maryland; aunts Celestine Nettles of Beatrice, Alabama, Helen
Nettles of Cleveland, Ohio, Hazel Johnson and Maxine Coker of Pensacola, Florida; one uncle, Allen (Emma) Nettles of McDonough, Georgia; nine devoted grandchildren, including one
special grandson, Javonte Johnson; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.

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