Obituaries
Obituary for Fredrick Griggs
Fredrick Griggs Sr., 68, died February 8, 2022.
Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/FyYA7TZNcd8
Frederick Gregory Griggs was born on November 22, 1953, the oldest of six children born to Phillip and Janice Griggs in Memphis, TN. He accepted Christ at an early age at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Frederick, better known as Gregg, loved music and played the drums in the George Washington Carver High School band. He graduated in 1971.
After working several jobs in the Memphis area, in 1974 he took a friend to the Military Recruitment Office. While he waited, a navy recruitment officer talked to him, and he decided to enlist in the US Navy. He reflected with a smile, that as a young man, he figured that if they wore white, they couldn’t get too dirty.
Gregg’s time in the Navy was life changing. He was able to spend time in cities and countries that he had read about. He often talked of his and time on the aircraft carriers with fondness. But all memories were not good. One stormy winter night, while he and four crew members were on deck working, they were thrown overboard. The frigid water claimed the lives of the other crew members. God spared his life that night, but the trauma of that event lived with him. After his honorable discharge in 1979, Gregg returned to Memphis.
Gregg had many personal struggles during his early years that took a toll on him and his relationships with others, but as his friend, Attorney Josh Spickler said, “How we come through the hardest parts of our lives make us the best version of ourselves.”
He worked at several jobs, but in 1987 Gregg became employed at the Memphis V A Medical Center where he really liked working and where he was able to overcome many of the obstacles in his life. Throughout the 35 years that he worked at the VA, Mr. Fred, as he was known, continued his education by completing courses and classes offered by the VA and received numerous Incentive Awards and Certificates of Appreciation. He was recognized by team members, department heads, patients, and visitors. At the time of his death, Mr. Fred was an EMS supervisor.
Gregg never married but he was a family man whose life was full of love. Gregg had a loving relationship with his son, Gregg, Jr. (Lil Gregg) and his four grandchildren. He also had a strong, committed, and long-lasting relationship with Jeraldyne. Together, they worked to provide his grandchildren with positive life experiences that were fun and cultural, taking vacations, visiting zoos, museums, and a different waterpark each year. He was an adviser, supporter, and father figure to many in his life especially Howard Turner, Erika Saines and Bryanna Mayes
Gregg never forgot where he came from and often returned to his “old” neighborhood to motivate and uplift his childhood friends.
Gregg’s mother, Janice Griggs, father, Phillip Griggs and brother, Julius Griggs preceded him in death.
Gregg will be deeply missed by all who loved, respected, and cared for him, and will forever live in the heart of his fiancée, Jeraldyne Saines.
He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his son, Frederick Gregory, Jr (Courtney); Grandchildren: Jayda, Frederick Gregory III, Cameron, and Jacoby; Brothers: Felix Griggs (Erica), Phillip Griggs, Edward Griggs (Trinisi), Phil Griggs (Susan) Riverside, California; Sisters: Phyllis Smith, Greta Jones, Alice Lewis, Melissa Dodson; the matriarchs of the family, Geraldine Dotstry, and Delores Lomax; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins, and friends
As a testament to Gregg’s generous and caring nature, he donated his organs and tissue to the Midsouth Transplant Foundation so that others may live.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Read More
Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/FyYA7TZNcd8
Frederick Gregory Griggs was born on November 22, 1953, the oldest of six children born to Phillip and Janice Griggs in Memphis, TN. He accepted Christ at an early age at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Frederick, better known as Gregg, loved music and played the drums in the George Washington Carver High School band. He graduated in 1971.
After working several jobs in the Memphis area, in 1974 he took a friend to the Military Recruitment Office. While he waited, a navy recruitment officer talked to him, and he decided to enlist in the US Navy. He reflected with a smile, that as a young man, he figured that if they wore white, they couldn’t get too dirty.
Gregg’s time in the Navy was life changing. He was able to spend time in cities and countries that he had read about. He often talked of his and time on the aircraft carriers with fondness. But all memories were not good. One stormy winter night, while he and four crew members were on deck working, they were thrown overboard. The frigid water claimed the lives of the other crew members. God spared his life that night, but the trauma of that event lived with him. After his honorable discharge in 1979, Gregg returned to Memphis.
Gregg had many personal struggles during his early years that took a toll on him and his relationships with others, but as his friend, Attorney Josh Spickler said, “How we come through the hardest parts of our lives make us the best version of ourselves.”
He worked at several jobs, but in 1987 Gregg became employed at the Memphis V A Medical Center where he really liked working and where he was able to overcome many of the obstacles in his life. Throughout the 35 years that he worked at the VA, Mr. Fred, as he was known, continued his education by completing courses and classes offered by the VA and received numerous Incentive Awards and Certificates of Appreciation. He was recognized by team members, department heads, patients, and visitors. At the time of his death, Mr. Fred was an EMS supervisor.
Gregg never married but he was a family man whose life was full of love. Gregg had a loving relationship with his son, Gregg, Jr. (Lil Gregg) and his four grandchildren. He also had a strong, committed, and long-lasting relationship with Jeraldyne. Together, they worked to provide his grandchildren with positive life experiences that were fun and cultural, taking vacations, visiting zoos, museums, and a different waterpark each year. He was an adviser, supporter, and father figure to many in his life especially Howard Turner, Erika Saines and Bryanna Mayes
Gregg never forgot where he came from and often returned to his “old” neighborhood to motivate and uplift his childhood friends.
Gregg’s mother, Janice Griggs, father, Phillip Griggs and brother, Julius Griggs preceded him in death.
Gregg will be deeply missed by all who loved, respected, and cared for him, and will forever live in the heart of his fiancée, Jeraldyne Saines.
He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his son, Frederick Gregory, Jr (Courtney); Grandchildren: Jayda, Frederick Gregory III, Cameron, and Jacoby; Brothers: Felix Griggs (Erica), Phillip Griggs, Edward Griggs (Trinisi), Phil Griggs (Susan) Riverside, California; Sisters: Phyllis Smith, Greta Jones, Alice Lewis, Melissa Dodson; the matriarchs of the family, Geraldine Dotstry, and Delores Lomax; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins, and friends
As a testament to Gregg’s generous and caring nature, he donated his organs and tissue to the Midsouth Transplant Foundation so that others may live.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
17
Feb
4:00 PM
- 6:30 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
Friday
18
Feb
1:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Inurnment
Friday
18
Feb
3:00 PM
West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125
Cemetery Details
Location
West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
4000 Forest Hill Irene Road
Memphis, TN 38125
Loading...