Mr. Albert Pierce Griffin, affectionately known as Big Al, was born on June 3, 1936 in Columbia, South Carolina. He was the oldest child of the late Pierce Griffin and Louise McCoy. Surrounded by family, he departed this earthly life on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Mr. Griffin was educated in the public schools of Richland County, South Carolina, and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Class of 1955. He was a proud member of the United States Air Force, where he served faithfully until his retirement after 21 years. His military career allowed him to serve in countries around the world, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Germany, and Spain. After his retirement, he furthered his education and received an Associate’s Degree from Columbia Junior College. After his retirement from the United States Air Force, he worked for Tamper, Inc. where he also retired after 20 years.
Big Al, attended Greenview First Baptist Church, until his health began to decline. He will always be remembered for his big personality, take charge attitude, his dedicated work ethic, big heart, and his love to celebrate life. In addition to working in his yard, Big Al loved to organize and work vigorously for his beloved Booker T. Washington Foundation and spending time with his family. He was undeniably a good husband, father, and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, Pierce Griffin and Louise McCoy and brother, Robert Lee Griffin.
Mr. Griffin leaves to cherish his precious memory: his wife of 63 years, Sarah Watson Griffin (Babe); his children, Syrone Wrighten, June Lockhart, Audrey (Reginald) Nesbit, and Sophia Suber; goddaughter, Janice Roberts, all of Columbia, SC; his grandchildren, Kevin Wrighten, Joshua Lockhart, Ashton Suber, Curtis Suber, II, Sarah Margaret Nesbit, Karrington Roberts, and Reginald Nesbit II; great-grandchildren, Peyton Suber and Karson Roberts; his brother, Willie (Margie) Gunter, of Columbia, SC; sister-in-law, Wilhelmina Griffin; and a host of nieces, nephews, and many other loving relatives, and caring friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.
The Booker T. Washington High School has served as a prototype for other historic black schools across the state. For most historically Black SC high schools, their legacies were often lost to the confusion of desegregation. The preservation of the Booker T. Washington High School legacy continues to persevere and for 8 years under the leadership of President Albert Griffin (2004 – 2012), the Booker T. Washington Foundation thrived. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Booker T. Washington Foundation, P.O. Box 1641 (Foundation) Columbia, SC 29202. A link is also provided to make a secure donation “In memory of Albert Griffin, former BTWF President Class of 1955” for your convenience.
Link to donate:
My sincere condolences to Mr. Griffin’s family. Al worked with me at the SC DSS for a short time but left a lasting memory to all of us who worked with him. He was a very special person and may he rest in peace.
My condolences to the Griffin family.
Daughter, classmate (Sophia) a part of the CAJ Class of 82.
Your family will be in all of our prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs Sarah and family, Mr Al was a pleasant person to be around, always had a smile and laugh everyday when he worked with us at DSS those were good ole days, Mr Al will truly be missed
God bless the entire Griffin Family. To Sarah and all of the kids Al was a Great human and a greater friend to many. Big Al will be missed on the golf course. Until we meet again .
To Sarah Griffin and Family
We were so sorry to hear of the death of Albert. May those beautiful yesterdays help to ease the sadness of today. May God keep and bless you and your family at this time.
Through the years, we grew up living across the street from the Griffins. Mr. Griffin always had a “kind” word. When I was home on leave and he saw me, he would always stop what he was doing to talk to me. He would always say “Gone Girl!” 🙂
Even when you couldn’t see him, you could always hear Mr. Griffin laughing. 🙂
To the GRIFFIN FAMILY, you all are in our hearts and prayers.
Dallas, TX
Words cannot express what the loss of our dear friend means to us.
Rest , Albert. Rest. With love and deepest sympathy 🙏🏽❤️
To my neighbors. My heart goes out to the Griffin family. You have been so supportive in my time of need. Mr Griffin will definitely be missed. Mrs Sarah I am here whenever you need me.
To The Griffin Family:
I am so Sorry for your loss.
Mr, Griffin was such a gentleman. He is at Rest and the Family is at Peace because You all did your Best in taking care of him. He lived a wonderful life and now he will live on with the Lord.
To Syrone and Mrs, Griffin and the Siblings.🙏🏿
Jeanette Gilchrist, RPh
To Audrey and the Griffin family – the Herron’s thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
We are Praying for you, Sarah and the family asking God to hold you all in his arms and comfort you with his faithful love.We will miss Al. we hope your precious memories will help to comfort you at this time. God Bless You. Deacon Archie and Barbara Suber
To the Griffin Family
Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest In Peace Uncle Albert.
Well done, well done.
Griffin Family,
We are so sorry for your loss and our prayers are with your family through this difficult time.
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage, to face the days, ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. I’m so thankful for our time together. Mr. Griffin always made you feel welcome and loved when you entered his home. Mr. Griffin will be truly missed.
Heaven is so much greater than anything our limited minds can ever imagine.
Celebrating a life well-lived and praying God’s comfort for you.
My thoughts and prayers for the Griffin family. May God give you all comfort and strength during this time.
My prayers are with all of the Griffin family Al was a great man and a great friend and partner to get in trouble with my dad.
Heartfelt condolence to the family, I met albert through his family and I was made to feel like his family. May he rest in peace.
This is a sad day for ALL of us who knew and worked with “Big AL Griffin. He loved life, his family, the lord and his community.
To the family, I extend my heart felt sympathy.
Sending my condolences to the Griffin family. Your Dad and husband was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He loved his family. Mr. Griffin you will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Kevin. I know how much he meant to you. Let your memories of his laughter and and conversations you had fill your heart when you get sad.
Love you
Condolences to the family from Retired Eugene and Dorothy Johnson. Strength and peace to you all.
Dear Griffin family, I heard this news and my heart dropped. In so many ways time has frozen for me since I no longer live in Columbia. Those days of my childhood on our cul de sac seem much closer than they appear, much like an old school rear view window. I have never forgotten how we were like family back then, looking out for eachother in Meadowlake. And even in the days since we moved, to this day, you all remain so thoughtful and full of love, and present when we need you. I’m so sorry I can’t be there to celebrate a life so well lived, but I look forward with hope to see Mr. Griffin again one day, in glory! Next time I’m in town I’ll make it my business to come see about you. Till then I send deepest heartfelt condolences, and all my love. Yours always, Cap’n Cokey 🙂
To the Griffin family during your to of The bereavement I send my deepest Sympathy and condolences from your cousin Debra God strengthen you all if I ever keep you
To The Griffin Family:
My sympathy and condolences goes to the family. May God give each of you healing and strength. May God’s embrace, family, and friends love get you through this difficult time and afterwards.
Although Mr. Griffin will be missed, please know God makes no mistakes. His presence will forever be in your spirits. Remember the great moments.
RIP Mr. Griffin.🕯🕊
May God bless the family.
With sincerest sympathy to the Griffin Family. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Please accept our deepest and sincere condolences.
To the Griffin family the Baker family send their condolences we are neighbors of Mr Griffin daughter and son-in-law
I was one of Mr Griffin’s caretakers!!! He was one of a kind. I am really going to miss him. His family welcomed me into their home daily and treated me like family. Prayers and My Condolences go out to Mrs Sarah and the family. Sip Big APG!!!!
to the family of Mr. Griffin you all have my deepest sympathy to be absent from the body is to be present the lord you all are in my prayers
To Sarah and Family, I send my deepest condolences to you. You and Albert have been a friend to me and my family for many years and a great neighbor. The red carpet was always laid out for all to come and feel at home. Albert will truly be missed but the memories will never be forgotten. We love you and will continue to be a part of your life for now and ever more.
Sincerely Mary Noble McKinstry
My Dearest Griffin family,
May the Lord comfort you during this difficult time. May you feel the arms of others and the love we carry in our hearts for you. Mr. Griffin will be missed by many. I’m so thankful for our time together. He always made us feel loved and special from childhood to adulthood. His sense of humor was good like a medicine. You always felt good after being in his presence. We love you Griffin family. You and Mr. Griffin have made a difference in so many lives and for that we are Grateful!
To Sarah and family, my sincere condolences are extended to you during this difficult time. I have fond memories of the many years serving with Al on the Booker T Washington High School Foundation Board of Directors. He was an excellent leader and a proud , dedicated Washingtonian. We also shared many conversations and expressed how appreciative we were for having grown up in a neighborhood (Waverly/ Lower Waverly) of loving, caring , supportive people. RIP my friend.
To Ms. Sarah & the “girls”& grands:
Al Griffin was without a doubt, my homie & my friend. I would describe our relationship as a “mutual admiration society”
He was a committed Washingtonian, a ” Man’s man”, who honorably served his country & his God.
Needless to say, he was indeed a good husband, Father & grandfather all rolled into one small package. Also, it is well documented that he took pride in his appearance, as he was always “sharp as a tack”, Always immaculately att
ired, no matter the occasion.
He was clearly a man of distinction from my perspective & it was obvious that he kept the “old BT spirit” throughout his life.
The BTW Board of Directors was indeed fortunate to have him as President from 2004 through 2012. He served us well as is expressed in John 9:4:
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work”.
We salute ALBERT P. GRIFFIN, as he now rest from his labor and reside in the joy of Jesus!
Thy Sons & Daughters shall forever shine!
To the GRIFFIN FAMILY, may the memories of your loved one bring peace to your heart. Al will be missed by all who knew him
I send heartfelt Condolences to the Griffin family during this season. I pray for Your Strength. I’ll never forget the memories shared with Mr. Griffin during the “BTW” Tornado events. “We All Loved Him, but God Loved Him Best.” SIP Mr. Al.😢😢😢