Walter Leonard Griffin III

Walter Leonard Griffin III, affectionately known as Len, fell asleep in death on Monday, November 30, 2020. Walter was born on April 19, 1966 to loving parents Mary Griffin-Cook and the late Walter L. Griffin Jr. at the Veterans Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Len was the eldest of four children.

Len grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey and attended Cedarbrook Elementary School. At nine years of age he relocated to Highland Park, Michigan and attended Cortland Elementary School, Ferris Middle School and Highland Park High School. After graduating from Redford High School in Detroit, Len attended several community colleges and trade schools where he studied horticulture, FDIC Money Smart, Microsoft Digital Literacy, Custodial Maintenance and NCCER Concrete Finishing. Walter implemented all of these skills while employed as both a laborer and assembly worker in the automotive industry. Len was a self-employed landscaper and home demolitionist. He was state certified in Occupational Safety and Health Administration – OHSA.

Walter had the wonderful privilege of being raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He grew to love and cherish his relationship with Jehovah and decided to dedicate his life by water baptism on October 5, 2002. Len truly loved talking about Jehovah and His Heavenly Kingdom with anyone and everyone he encountered. He embraced Bible truths by thoroughly researching the scriptures and discussing them in further detail with his fellow brothers and sisters. A few of Len’s favorite scriptures were Joshua 1:8, 2 Peter 3:13 and Mark 10:27.

Walter was extremely fond of his family and maintained a close personal bond, making it a priority to keep in close contact with his relatives. He made it his mission to travel long distances to meet new family members. Len was a real outdoorsman who enjoyed many hobbies such as swimming, fishing, running track, horseback riding and gardening. Some of his other interests included writing poetry, reading, art, music, fashion, health and nutrition. Len was a real “foodie”. His ultimate favorite was any and all types of seafood dishes. He also loved southern soul food and a variety of desserts, with peach cobbler and sweet potato pie being at the top of his list.

Len was a sincere gentle, compassionate, loving, kind and hospitable man. He was always ready to offer assistance to anyone in need ~ be it physically, emotionally or financially even if it was his last dollar! He would say, “they really needed it ~ that’s okay Jehovah will provide ~ besides, we’ll be throwing this money in the streets soon.”

He leaves to cherish his memory; mother Mary; son Donovan Zachariah Hughes; devoted fiancée Ferna Valeda Childs; one brother Anthony Lovell Griffin; two sisters Michelle S. Robinson (Darryl) and Portia D. Griffin and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.