Don Nolan Griffin

Don Nolan Griffin was born on September 1, 1942, and returned home to his Lord on March 27, 2026, after a lengthy illness. A native of Grand Ridge, Florida, he was the son of Travis and Donna Wester Griffin. Known to be a hard worker, he held numerous odd jobs from an early age, including riding his bike around town delivering newspapers to working at Durden’s Store. He spent most of his life working as a plumber at Florida State Hospital, where he retired after 43 years of service. 

Don especially loved the outdoors. In his younger years, he always had a summer garden and enjoyed planting numerous shrubs and trees in his yard. He was an avid deer hunter and spent many years hunting in Jackson County and South Alabama. Known to his hunting buddies as ‘Rebel,’ Don enjoyed spending time with some of his closest friends, particularly his best friend Buddy Jeter, on whom Don was known to play a practical joke every now and then. For many years, he enjoyed an early morning coffee group at his good friend Dayle Baker’s shop. Sharing coffee and stories with the group, which also included John Howland and Farrell Newsom, was cherished time for Don. He also loved to travel and made several trips across the U.S. with his loving wife, Martha, including trips to several national parks. Some highlights of his travels included several visits to France to visit his ‘French family’, the Defacqs, and additional trips to England, Italy, and Germany, as well as a few surrounding countries. He especially loved Scotland. Don loved his family and friends and was proud of his two daughters and their families. He enjoyed many trips to the mountains with his kids and grandkids and loved camping at Track Rock Campground in Blairsville, GA. 

He always stressed the importance of education and encouraged his family to further their education. He was proud of his country and often wished he had been able to serve in the armed forces. Don also loved car racing, especially in his youth, where he could be found drag-racing “with the boys” and was a big NASCAR fan. Don was a member of Grand Ridge Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and worked diligently with the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, T.J. Griffin and his wife, Alice; his sister, Elizabeth Griffin Black; and a special brother-in-law, Hugo "Sonny" Black. 

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha Kimbrel Griffin; and his daughters, Patty Griffin Wester (Will) and Lucinda Griffin Graven (James), his seven grandchildren, Madison Wester Smith (Griffin), Amelia Wester, Grace Wester Ripley (Chris), Olivia Wester, Willa Wester, Donovan Graven, and Kimbrel Graven; four great grandchildren, Wes Smith, Deacon, Smith, Maria Smith, and Theo Smith. 

The family would like to thank special helpers, Angela Arnold (Don called her Angel) and Ginger Baxley, as well as the staff of Covenant Home Health and Big Bend Hospice, for taking care of Don as his illness worsened.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Grand Ridge Baptist Church with Reverends Caron Harn and Gary Gable officiating. Burial will follow in Carpenter Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. 

The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of the service in the Fellowship Hall at the Church.