“God, You know what is in my Heart. You know my Pain, my Hurts, my Dreams. When I reach my limit, take me in Your fold, comfort me, and take away my pain, and carry me Home”.
On November 3, 2023, Jimmie Lee Griffin passed away peacefully at the Veterans West Haven Hospital with his wife Joyce at his side. Jimmie fought a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Jimmie was born January 11, 1944 in Columbia, South Carolina to Maceo Griffin, and Nancy Jacobs Griffin. Other than his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Maceo Griffin, Jr. and sisters, Annie Lisa Kinion and Clara Bell Yates.
Jimmie leaves to cherish his memory, wife Joyce, daughter Bernadine Jordan, son Michael Clinton and step-son Mark Clinton. Grandchildren, Nicole, Oliver, Joseph, Cora, Emma, Jayden, Mark, Shawn, and Justyce. Great-grandchildren, Zaylin, Juelz, Tyvon, and Mera. He is also survived by his sister Lillie Bell Griffin Crosby, brother Robert Lee Griffin, and nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives.
Jimmie had a curious, sharp and inquisitive mind. He could have achieved greatness, in any field. But he was influenced by past and present struggles of some people. The history of the civil rights movements and current conditions, fueled his passion for change. Whether it was the young people in his personal life or those in the community. Jimmie spent the majority of his life “helping”. He had a vision of what people could be and was dedicated to the “betterment” of the community. He promoted self-reliance, self-help, with a sense of responsibility to endearing and preserving cultural “identity” and self-awareness. He was never, never, ever afraid to express his feelings or to be challenged. Truth to Power!!
At the age of 24, Jimmie was drafted in the army and was stationed about two years in Korea. Upon his discharge he began his life commitment to community work, influenced by the injustices, discrimination, experiences while stationed in Korea and visits to the American South. While serving his Country, Jimmie earned his GED and during his service was ranked Infantry Sargent. Upon his honorable discharge, Jimmie returned to the States, and obtained an Associate Degree from Housatonic Community College, graduating with high honors. He became one of the first VA Coordinators of Bridgeport. He set up the Vietnam of America Programs with the emphasis on assuring veterans receive the assistance they deserved. He was also instrumental in working on the Million-Man March in 1992. During those early years he also worked for Community Action Programs.
Jimmie held numerous positions most of which reflected his skills and his desires to enhance self-sufficiency. Among his various posts, he was honored to serve as the Waterbury Chapter of the NAACP as Local President and and later as NAACP Statewide President. In addition he was the head of the Waterbury Center for Economic and Social Justice. He worked for the New Opportunities in Waterbury (N.O.W) for a number of years. Jimmie was very proud to have run for Mayor twice in the City of Waterbury (GIMME JIMMIE!), and later on endorsed and supported a number of individuals in the community and political arena.
Jimmie was unique, his charisma and persuasiveness were gifts from God, and he put them to use. Jimmie received many, many accolades honoring his community work and achievements.
During his extremely challenging final days of this life, he deeply contemplated his life journeys, he came full circle in his beliefs. Jimmie recommitted to God. Although he became more and more physically enabled, he provided his actions and thoughts to new endeavors. He felt personal gratification from his achievements and most of all, received admiration from family and associates. Jimmie faced the most challenging event in his life with faith and courage.
Jimmie, Rest in Peace!!! Truth to Power!!!
.
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On November 3, 2023, Jimmie Lee Griffin passed away peacefully at the Veterans West Haven Hospital with his wife Joyce at his side. Jimmie fought a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Jimmie was born January 11, 1944 in Columbia, South Carolina to Maceo Griffin, and Nancy Jacobs Griffin. Other than his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Maceo Griffin, Jr. and sisters, Annie Lisa Kinion and Clara Bell Yates.
Jimmie leaves to cherish his memory, wife Joyce, daughter Bernadine Jordan, son Michael Clinton and step-son Mark Clinton. Grandchildren, Nicole, Oliver, Joseph, Cora, Emma, Jayden, Mark, Shawn, and Justyce. Great-grandchildren, Zaylin, Juelz, Tyvon, and Mera. He is also survived by his sister Lillie Bell Griffin Crosby, brother Robert Lee Griffin, and nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives.
Jimmie had a curious, sharp and inquisitive mind. He could have achieved greatness, in any field. But he was influenced by past and present struggles of some people. The history of the civil rights movements and current conditions, fueled his passion for change. Whether it was the young people in his personal life or those in the community. Jimmie spent the majority of his life “helping”. He had a vision of what people could be and was dedicated to the “betterment” of the community. He promoted self-reliance, self-help, with a sense of responsibility to endearing and preserving cultural “identity” and self-awareness. He was never, never, ever afraid to express his feelings or to be challenged. Truth to Power!!
At the age of 24, Jimmie was drafted in the army and was stationed about two years in Korea. Upon his discharge he began his life commitment to community work, influenced by the injustices, discrimination, experiences while stationed in Korea and visits to the American South. While serving his Country, Jimmie earned his GED and during his service was ranked Infantry Sargent. Upon his honorable discharge, Jimmie returned to the States, and obtained an Associate Degree from Housatonic Community College, graduating with high honors. He became one of the first VA Coordinators of Bridgeport. He set up the Vietnam of America Programs with the emphasis on assuring veterans receive the assistance they deserved. He was also instrumental in working on the Million-Man March in 1992. During those early years he also worked for Community Action Programs.
Jimmie held numerous positions most of which reflected his skills and his desires to enhance self-sufficiency. Among his various posts, he was honored to serve as the Waterbury Chapter of the NAACP as Local President and and later as NAACP Statewide President. In addition he was the head of the Waterbury Center for Economic and Social Justice. He worked for the New Opportunities in Waterbury (N.O.W) for a number of years. Jimmie was very proud to have run for Mayor twice in the City of Waterbury (GIMME JIMMIE!), and later on endorsed and supported a number of individuals in the community and political arena.
Jimmie was unique, his charisma and persuasiveness were gifts from God, and he put them to use. Jimmie received many, many accolades honoring his community work and achievements.
During his extremely challenging final days of this life, he deeply contemplated his life journeys, he came full circle in his beliefs. Jimmie recommitted to God. Although he became more and more physically enabled, he provided his actions and thoughts to new endeavors. He felt personal gratification from his achievements and most of all, received admiration from family and associates. Jimmie faced the most challenging event in his life with faith and courage.
Jimmie, Rest in Peace!!! Truth to Power!!!
.
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