Ellerbe Wilson Griffin, Jr., age 89, a resident of Kings Mountain, died May 8, 2014 at Brian Center , Gastonia, NC. He was a native of Cleveland Co., son of the late Ellerbe Wilson Griffin, Sr. and Mable Kurfees Griffin. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy Griffin,  Je’anne Griffin Bargar, and brother, Walter Knox Griffin.    Mr. Griffin was the owner and operator of Griffin Drug Store, Kings Mtn. for over 50 years, which was founded by his father in 1919. 

                  He graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1941 and was active in the first band program which was directed by Dr. Hendricks. After graduation he attended Edwards Military School, and then attended Pharmacy School at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  After his second year of Pharmacy School, he took a leave to join the United States Navy.  During World War II, he served in Norfolk, VA., North Africa, and was involved in the invasion of Southern France.  He later served as Pharmacist at the US Casualty Center, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy.  Mr. Griffin was honorably discharged in 1946 from the United States Navy.    He returned to Pharmacy School in Chapel Hill, where he was inducted into the ATO Fraternity and graduated in 1948. After graduation, he returned to Kings Mountain to begin work with his father at Griffin Drug Store.

In 1958, he helped organize the Cleveland County Drug Club and was a longtime active member of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists.   He served in the Senior Tarheels, representing Cleveland County.       

He was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church where he served on the church board and many other positions.  Mr. Griffin was a charter member of the Kings Mountain Rotary Club,  serving as president for two terms.  He was also a former member of the Kings Mountain Jaycee’s where he also served as president and on various committees.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. 

SURVIVORS: Wife of 57 years: Sara Sperling Griffin, Kings Mtn. NC

Daughter: Myra Griffin Wallace and husband Charles, Wilmington, NC

2 Grandchildren: Sallie Nowell and husband Danny, Portland, OR

  Rainey Wallace, Wilmington, NC

Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law: Dr. James Phillips and Judy Sperling Phillips, Macon, GA

Numerous nieces and nephews.                           

MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE.

 MEMORIALS: Central United Methodist Church, 113 S. Piedmont Ave, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC