James Sullivan "Bro. Jim" Griffith

James Sullivan “Bro. Jim” Griffith was born in Memphis, Tennessee on Halloween in 1947 to Grant Sullivan and Cardelia (Hamby) Griffith. He joined two sisters, Sandra and Ann, and less than four years later, a third sister, Linda, completed the family. Bro. Jim heard his calling early, and at age 19, became a pastor in what became the United Methodist Church. For half a century, he served small rural churches all over Western Tennessee and Kentucky until his retirement in 2014. He met his wife, Margaret (Mott) Griffith when he needed to hire someone to mow the parsonage lawn. They married in 1969 and nine months later, Jim gained the name of Daddy when Margaret “Annette” was born. Four years later, James Andrew “Andy” was born on Margaret’s birthday. Jim attended classes at Lambuth College, where his son would graduate years later. In 1978, starting a legacy of Racers, Jim graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from Murray State University. He was followed by his daughter and oldest granddaughter as fellow alum. He was already a grandparent when he graduated with his degree from Memphis Theological Seminary. 

Most knew him as Bro. Jim, but his favorite name was Granddaddy. Spoiling his grandchildren, Maggie (Zach), Beth Anne, Hannah, and Aaron, was his absolute favorite activity. He also loved to sing, to laugh, and to eat as all good Methodists do. He could come up with a song for any phrase he heard. His love and pride for his family was second only to his love for God. Bro. Jim believed in the power of prayer and would offer to pray for anyone’s hard times and he meant it. Bro. Jim and Margaret retired to their home in Savannah, TN and found a wonderful church family at Crump United Methodist Church. He rarely missed a Sunday and would threaten to walk if someone wouldn’t take him. 

Even during several years of suffering from many physical ailments and worst of all Alzheimer’s, he never stopped praising God. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 7, 2024, and if you knew him you know he met Jesus with open arms, hearing “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Bro. Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, his children, his always bragged about grandchildren, nieces, Glenda (Chris), Karen (Geoff), Cristaldawn (Matthew), and many grandnieces and -nephews, and even great grand nephews and -niece. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, and two nephews, Michael & Lynn.

Funeral Services for Bro. Jim were held at 2 P.M. Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville. A private interment will be in Walls Cemetery in the Braden Community.

The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly, 1458 Pilot Knob Road, Eva, TN 38333.