James was a product of the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools. He graduated in the last graduation class of Atkins High School, Class of 1971. He received his BS Degree in Education from Winston-Salem State University. He retired from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system after 35 years of teaching. James was a die hard referee and umpire official for over 35 years. He was a member of the Northwest Softball Umpires Association, Northstate Football Officials Association (Winston-Salem Clinic), Northwest Basketball Officials Association and Northwest Officials Association. He received many awards for his outstanding performance in refereeing and umpiring. James was a member of Friendship Baptist Church for 65 years. He was a member of the Sunday School, Co-Chairman of the Deacon Board, Mens' Council, Baptist Training Union and many more auxiliaries. He was the former President of Forsyth County Baptist Training Union for nearly ten years. James was a God sent child that used life and wisdom in taking everything with good humor and a grain of salt. He was a kind hearted and humble man, who loved the Lord, his family and his church family. James is survived by his wife, Hazel Hale Griffin, mother Mildred R. Griffin; children: James Griifin, III and Wayne (LaShonda) Griffin; four grandchildren: Makayla and Alayna Griffin, RGhib Caleb Griffin, Kanijah Edwards; step daughters: Izetta Hale and Christina Hale; three step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren; sister; Charlene Roseboro; brothers: Fernandez, Mark and Derrick chael Griffin; aunts: Azalee Vinson, Bertha Parks, Robbie Allen and Stella Imes; uncles: William Griffin, Willie (Ernestine) Griffin, Eugene (Viola) Roseboro, Ardeal (Dianne) Roseboro, Curtis "Breadman" Roseboro and Sammy Roseboro; mothers-in-law, Addie Lee Hale and Elsie Miller; nieces: Jamita Griffin, India Reeves, Chaya Mercer, Marquisia and Alexis Griffin; nephews: Darren, Marcus, Jordan, and Michael Anthony Griffin; many additional relatives and many, many friends. Home going service will held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at Friendship Baptist Church, visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Lester Boyd presiding. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery.

For funeral program, click here