Rev. Dr. Frederick Joe Griffith

On Friday, August 15, 2025, the Rev. Dr. Frederick Joe Griffith stepped into the realms of timeless eternity. He began his earthly journey in Charleston, WV on June 29, 1947, with his parents, Robert Doard Griffith and Millie Webb Griffith.

Dr. Griffith is survived by his loving wife, Melody Rae Hunt Griffith, devoted daughter, Millie Marie Griffith, both of Elizabeth City, NC; brother, Thomas Ray Griffith (Diana); sisters, Alice Sue Toney, Diana Lynn Workman, and Melissa Ann Bishop (Lawrence), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert Harold Griffith, George Edward Griffith, John Paul Griffith, and two sisters, Beverly Jane Langford and Betty Jo Dotson.

He was a 1965 graduate of Sherman High School, Seth, WV; the first recipient of the Associate of Science Education degree from West Virginia State College University, Institute, WV in 1972. He additionally received a Bachelor of Science Education from WV State College University in 1975; Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Roanoke Theological Seminary, Elizabeth City, NC in 2023.

Joe proudly served in the US Air Force and the West Virginia Air National Guard. He taught public school at Andrew Jackson Junior High School, Cross Lanes, WV and Seth Elementary School, Seth, WV.

Joe became a Licensed Funeral Director in 1984 and was the Manager of Berry Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC before joining the staff at Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC, where he served for thirty-five years.

Rev. Griffith pastored Prenter FWB Church, Prenter, WV; Atha Chapel, Andrew, WV; Highland Pines FWB Church, Hamlet, NC; St. Paul FWB Church, Elizabeth City, NC; Burgess Baptist Church, Hertford, NC; and Rehoboth Baptist Church, Maple, NC. Upon pastoral retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Griffith became members of Ramoth Gilead Baptist Church.

He was ordained as a Free Will Baptist Minister, Boone County, WV Quarterly Conference, serving as Clerk; National Convention of Original Free Will Baptist, serving as Treasurer, Stewardship, Obituary (Chairman), Nominating Committee (Chairman) and Hymnal Committees; Albemarle Conference of Free Will Baptist Secretary and Assistant Moderator; Albemarle Conference of Free Will Baptist (1980-1993), serving on Executive committee and Ordaining Council; Albemarle Free Will Baptist Sunday School Convention, Secretary and President; Free Will Baptist Press Foundation, Ayden, NC, Board of Directors and Secretary; Elizabeth City Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Co-chairman; Elizabeth City Area Ministerial Association, Treasurer and President; Albemarle Hospital Volunteer Chaplain; Albemarle Hospice Volunteer Chaplain; and Chowan Baptist Association.

As a student, Joe was privileged to serve as the first President of the WV Student Education Association; WV Teachers Association; Boone, County, WV; Elementary Language Arts Textbook Committee; Richmond County, NC; Blood Mobile, Chairman; Albemarle Food Bank, Charter Board Member; National Funeral Directors Association; NC Funeral Directors Association; Northeastern High School Home Economics Advisory Council, Chairman; Albemarle Area Widowed Persons Service, Organizer and Coordinator; Elizabeth City Junior High School Coping with Greif Co-Counselor, ECPPS Business Person of the Year Award for Coping with Grief; Albemarle Commission service Northeastern NC; Pasquotank County Drug Task Force-Treatment Resource Committee; Elizabeth City – Pasquotank County School Crisis Team; Twiford Memorial Christmas Tree, Founder and Coordinator (1990-1995); Currituck County Compassionate Friends, Advisor; Jeff Jones HIV Consortium for Albemarle Area, Charter Member Board of Directors, Recruitment Co-chairman; Elizabeth City Morning Rotary Club Chaplain (1919-1994) Improved Order of Red Men Pasquotank Tribe #8, Senior Vice President, President and Prophet; Pasquotank County Foster Homes children Group Counselor; Elizabeth City Compassionate Friends Advisor; and the Currituck County Historical Society.

He was a guest on radio stations WGAI and WCNC periodically for several years, topics were related to funeral services. He pre-recorded seasonal funeral home ads for the daily reading of obituaries on radio stations WGAI and WCNC for over twenty-five years. Initiated and facilitated Twiford Funeral Home's entry into the National Funeral Directors' Pursuit of Excellence Award for thirty-two consecutive years. He attended numerous seminars on death, dying, grief, suicide, children and widows.

Throughout his life, Joe enjoyed reading, learning, teaching, playing the piano, traveling and helping others.

A heartfelt Thank You is extended to all the devoted medical professionals who have extended care throughout this season of life. We would like to extend a special thank you to Candice with Albemarle Hospice for all of her help.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Ramoth Gilead Baptist Church, 1308 School House Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, with the Rev. Ken Littleton, the Rev. Dr. Matt Thomas and the Rev. Timothy Stallings, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Pineview Cemetery, Orgas, WV. The family will greet family and friends in the Family Life Center of the church immediately following the service. There will be a visitation on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Twiford Memorial Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to the ECPPS International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Elizabeth City Middle School and Pasquotank County High School, 1200 Halstead Boulevard, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Griffith family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.