Name: Visitation for Dr. Tommy Brewer Griffin
Start: 2018-01-06T17:30:00.000Z
End: 2018-01-06T18:30:00.000Z
Location: Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel - Spartanburg

Dr. Tommy Brewer Griffin

SPARTANBURG, SC-- 'I am the vine; you are the branches....apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5.
On his 82nd birthday, January 1, 2018, Dr. Tommy Brewer Griffin went to the place Jesus had prepared for him. If an obituary of earthly works were going to be written, he wanted the reader to know that apart from Christ, he could do nothing.
On January 1, 1936, Tommy was born to Marcus Vann and Elizabeth Brewer Griffin. By the time he was five years old he knew that he was going to be a physician. After Aiken High School, he graduated cum laude from Davidson College with a BS in Pre-Med Sciences. From a very strong Alpha Omega Alpha Medical School career at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, he graduated in 1961. The Yale University Grace New Haven Hospital was the site of his internship before he moved back south to Chapel Hill for residencies in internal medicine followed by a residency and fellowship in dermatology at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, the University of North Carolina.
He was a Major in the Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War. His base was in Research and Development at the Letterman General Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco.
Tommy returned to the faculty of the UNC Department of Dermatology. In 1971 He moved to Spartanburg and opened the second dermatology office (Dr. Paul Cook was the first.) His practice grew with more dermatologists and he retired from Spartanburg Dermatology and Skin Surgery Clinic in 2001. Patients and their care, teaching in medical settings, and the superbly dedicated staff brought thirty years of great joy in the professional life!
Even on his last day he still recognized with a twinkle, his wife, children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Freida Deaton Griffin; sons, Marcus Vann Griffin II, wife, Tracy, grandchildren, Maura and Nathanial, of Dana Point, CA, Thomas Scott Griffin, wife, Suzannah, grandchildren, Thomas and Sarah of Spartanburg, SC; daughter, Dr. Julia G. Girard and husband, Dr. Dhru Girard Griffin and granddaughter, Ava of Rome, GA.
An only child, Tommy completely embraced Freida's siblings as his own: Nancy and Bennie Ward, Glenda and Don Loftis, Mary Jo and Chick Harvey, Dale and Lawrence Ledbetter and Becky and David Wilkins.
Since its founding, All Saints Church, Spartanburg, has been Tommy's very special church home and family.
Visitation will be 12:30-1:30 PM Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307, with services following at 2:00 PM in the Chapel. The Reverend Nowell Copley, Rector and the Reverend Mike Smith, Deacon will be officiating the service. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307.
Memorial gifts may be considered to Mobile Meals Service, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304 or to All Saints Church, Spartanburg, 401 E. Kennedy St. Suite B7, Spartanburg, SC 29302.
The family would like to express their great appreciation to Mary Sipple, his caregiver for over a year, for her love and care.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com
Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spartanburg Herald-Journal from Jan. 3 to Jan. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Tommy Griffin

Sponsored by Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel - Spartanburg Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel.

8 Entries

Kenneth Warrick

March 13, 2018

Tonight I just read with deep sorror about Tommy's passing. It was a great privilege to have known and respected him for his work with the South Carolina Medical Association and South Carolina Dermatologic Association for 40 years. He was an astute clinician and a wise and caring colleague. I am sure that many thousands of his patients also mourn his passing. I wish to send my belated condolences to his family and thanks for sharing this kind man with us, the medical community, for so many years.

Elizabeth (Beth) Newburn

January 17, 2018

Tommy and I were close friends and classmates at Aiken High School. I have many fond memories of our friendship and times together there. Don't recall Tommy attending many of our AHS class reunions so unfortunately had not kept up with him and his family. I just learned that my local Dermatologist and good friend here in Aiken knew Tommy from medical meetings, etc. and I only wish I had known that earlier. She spoke so highly of him. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

January 5, 2018

Dear Fread and family

Patricia Westmoreland

January 5, 2018

Although we lost contact in the last few years, he was a wonderful friend in and out of the Dermatology World. He was brilliant in medicine, politics, and friendship. I miss him and send love and respect to his family. Tricia Westmoreland, MD

Marta Hampton

January 4, 2018

So sorry to hear on the departure of a well known and respected dermatologic colleague. My prayers are with the family and he will be remembered forever in our society. God bless.

Eric Baker MD

January 4, 2018

I have many fond memories of Tommy at our Piedmont Dermatology meetings and golfing with him and George Stretcher. He was a leader and mentor to many of us in the Dermatology community. A life well lived!

January 4, 2018

I was one of Dr. Griffin's first patients when he came to Spartanburg. He was so caring. He was a wonderful doctor and man. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. Elaine Steading

Shirley Waddell

January 3, 2018

Dr. Griffin was a good man and contributed greatly to his community. He was also a kind caring physician for my family until his retirement. Prayers for his family.

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