Woodrow Pinkney "Woody" Griffin Sr.

ASHEVILLE - Woodrow Pinkney Griffin, Sr., also known as Woody and WP Griffin, died September 28, 2008, at the WNC Baptist Home, after a short illness. He had recently celebrated his 95th birthday. Son of the late Pinkney Eli Griffin and Clorina Jones Griffin, he was born in the Fruitland section of Hendersonville. He attended Brevard College, graduated from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, and later earned a masters degree from Western Carolina University. Mr. Griffin spent a lifetime in education. He was a teacher, coach, elementary and high school principal. He was superintendent of Asheville City Schools from 1960 to 1977. Well known and highly respected, he led the system through challenges and remarkable growth. His works were acknowledged in the WP Griffin Sports Arena at Asheville High School. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, a Rotarian and member of many civic and professional organizations. He, with others, worked for the establishment and growth of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, where he served on the Board for almost 20 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Parker Griffin, brothers, Odell, Brown and Orville and sisters, Helen G. Corn and Veola G. Holbert. He is survived by a sister, Roberta G. Justus, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by son Woodrow P. Griffin, Jr., of Asheville, daughter Bettie G. Watts and son-in-law Nelson Watts of Cincinnati, grandchildren Parker N. Watts of Cincinnati and Alison W. Palmer of Breckenridge, Colorado, was well as 4 great grandchildren, Griffin K. Palmer and Anson B. Palmer of Breckenridge and Adelene B. Watts and Samuel E. Watts of Cincinnati. Graveside services will be held at the Lanning Pittillo Cemetery in Hendersonville Saturday, October 4 at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Asheville City Schools Foundation, 85 Mountain Street, Asheville, NC 28802. Arrangements are being handled by Anders Rice Funeral Home. Driving directions from Asheville to Lanning Pittillo Cemetery, Henderson County would be as follows. I-26 East to Hendersonville take Exit # 49-A (US Hwy 64 -Bat Cave/Chimney Rock Exit) Drive down Hwy 64/Chimney Rock Rd. approximately 1.7 miles to Fruitland Rd. @ North Henderson High School which will be on your left. Turn left on Fruitland Rd. @ High School and go 2 to 3 miles. Lanning Pittillo Cemetery will be on your left at Fruitland Cemetery Rd.and they have a sign at the road. Also go to http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=132627 for a map for directions.