Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Ross Griffith Obituary
Ross Arnold Griffith
Feb 17, 1943 - Jul 4, 2025
Ross Arnold Griffith was born in Alexandria, VA, on February 17, 1943. He passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, in Winston-Salem, NC.
Ross received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1965, and soon thereafter began working as an admissions counselor in undergraduate admissions. He worked his way to assistant director and associate director over the next 11 years. He served as WFU's Director of Equal Opportunity from 1977 to 1984, supervising expanded recruitment, hiring of minority and women faculty, and staff at both the Reynolda and Bowman Gray campuses. He also worked to expand accessibility for disabled members of our community and visitors to campus.
As Assistant Vice President for Administration and Planning, Ross directed facilities planning, including the design and construction of Worrell Professional Center for Law and Management and Benson University Center, while also serving as the Southeast Regional Representative of the Society of College and University Planning Board of Directors.
Ross later served as Director of Institutional Research and Academic Administration from 1993 until his phased retirement in 2013. He was a leader in strategic planning and academic accreditation, serving as Wake Forest's long-standing Accreditation Liaison and president of the North Carolina Association for Institutional Research (NCAIR). He also contributed as Southeast regional representative on the board of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP).
Ross contributed regularly to national conversations on higher education. He co-presented "100% SACS Compliant, Strategies and Successes from Two Institutions" and "Using the CIRP Surveys with SACS: Examples from SAIR Institutions" at the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR) conference in New Orleans. His leadership helped guide Wake Forest to a perfect-score accreditation review. He was recognized with the University's Excellence in Advising Award for his extraordinary work with students. Post retirement, he was a consultant to the New York College of Health Professionals.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Lou Turnage Griffith; daughters, Suzanna Thayer Griffith and Margaret Ross Griffith; son-in-law, Jamison Hiatt Carter (married to Margaret); brother, Kelley Edward Griffith and wife, Lynne Meacham; sister, Lynne Griffith Marks and husband, Richard Marks; granddaughters, Josephine Elizabeth Carter and Abigail Ruby Carter; grandson, Ross Walter Roufail; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he adored.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ross was deeply involved in the tennis community. He was a charter member of the North Carolina Professional Tennis Umpires Association (NCPTUA) when it was founded in 1987 to raise the quality and professionalism of officiating in the state. Ross held leadership positions within NCPTUA and promoted its growth with dedication and humility.
He officiated tennis matches at all levels throughout North Carolina, from junior tournaments to collegiate competitions to professional events. His officiating career also reached the national stage: Ross served as a line umpire at the US Open, including matches featuring tennis legends John McEnroe and Boris Becker.
His presence will be greatly missed on court.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at First Baptist on Fifth at 11 a.m. All are invited to join the family for refreshments following the service.
Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.
Salem Funeral & Cremation Service
2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Feb 17, 1943 - Jul 4, 2025
Ross Arnold Griffith was born in Alexandria, VA, on February 17, 1943. He passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025, in Winston-Salem, NC.
Ross received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1965, and soon thereafter began working as an admissions counselor in undergraduate admissions. He worked his way to assistant director and associate director over the next 11 years. He served as WFU's Director of Equal Opportunity from 1977 to 1984, supervising expanded recruitment, hiring of minority and women faculty, and staff at both the Reynolda and Bowman Gray campuses. He also worked to expand accessibility for disabled members of our community and visitors to campus.
As Assistant Vice President for Administration and Planning, Ross directed facilities planning, including the design and construction of Worrell Professional Center for Law and Management and Benson University Center, while also serving as the Southeast Regional Representative of the Society of College and University Planning Board of Directors.
Ross later served as Director of Institutional Research and Academic Administration from 1993 until his phased retirement in 2013. He was a leader in strategic planning and academic accreditation, serving as Wake Forest's long-standing Accreditation Liaison and president of the North Carolina Association for Institutional Research (NCAIR). He also contributed as Southeast regional representative on the board of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP).
Ross contributed regularly to national conversations on higher education. He co-presented "100% SACS Compliant, Strategies and Successes from Two Institutions" and "Using the CIRP Surveys with SACS: Examples from SAIR Institutions" at the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR) conference in New Orleans. His leadership helped guide Wake Forest to a perfect-score accreditation review. He was recognized with the University's Excellence in Advising Award for his extraordinary work with students. Post retirement, he was a consultant to the New York College of Health Professionals.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Lou Turnage Griffith; daughters, Suzanna Thayer Griffith and Margaret Ross Griffith; son-in-law, Jamison Hiatt Carter (married to Margaret); brother, Kelley Edward Griffith and wife, Lynne Meacham; sister, Lynne Griffith Marks and husband, Richard Marks; granddaughters, Josephine Elizabeth Carter and Abigail Ruby Carter; grandson, Ross Walter Roufail; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he adored.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ross was deeply involved in the tennis community. He was a charter member of the North Carolina Professional Tennis Umpires Association (NCPTUA) when it was founded in 1987 to raise the quality and professionalism of officiating in the state. Ross held leadership positions within NCPTUA and promoted its growth with dedication and humility.
He officiated tennis matches at all levels throughout North Carolina, from junior tournaments to collegiate competitions to professional events. His officiating career also reached the national stage: Ross served as a line umpire at the US Open, including matches featuring tennis legends John McEnroe and Boris Becker.
His presence will be greatly missed on court.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at First Baptist on Fifth at 11 a.m. All are invited to join the family for refreshments following the service.
Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.
Salem Funeral & Cremation Service
2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Published by Winston-Salem Journal on Jul. 9, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for Ross Griffith
Sponsored by Salem Funerals & Cremations - Reynolda Rd..
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Ross Griffith's name
Memorial Events
for Ross Griffith
Funeral services provided by:
Salem Funerals & Cremations - Reynolda Rd.2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106
How to support Ross's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Ross Griffith's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
