Buner Lee (B.L.) Griffin
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Decatur United Methodist Church in Decatur, MS for Mr. Buner Lee (B.L.) Griffin, 82, of Decatur, MS. Mr. Griffin died on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at his home in Decatur, MS.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 6, 2015 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Newton County Funeral Home-North in Newton, MS. Internment will be at Newton County Memorial Gardens. Bro. Bruce Taylor will officiate.
Born 10/19/32 to parents Austin and Sarah Elizabeth Hollingsworth Griffin in the Macedonia Community west of Decatur. He was one of seven children, Fred, Sam, Jack, Mavis, Sarah Lois, and his twin sister, Euner Lee.

His father died at an early age, and the family moved to Decatur. B.L. was an industrious young man and during his high school and junior college days, he worked for Reginald Thames in his tractor business. He graduated from Decatur High School, East Central Junior College, and Mississippi State University where he received a degree in accounting.

He served in the Mississippi National Guard and the US Army. He was stationed after basic training at Fort Monmouth, NJ and then to Mount Lemon at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Upon leaving the army, he worked for the Texas Company in Dallas, TX as an accountant.

In 1957, he married his high school sweet heart, Sarah Craft from Union, and they became the parents of three children, John David, Sara Diane, and Kim Leigh. In 1959, he was selected Business Manager at ECJC and remained in that position for 16 years.

Once he returned to his hometown, he worked diligently toward the growth of Decatur. In 1970, he brought the concept of "dollar store shopping" to Decatur by opening the United Dollar Store. In 1975, he resigned his position as Business Manager at ECJC and began a long career in the grocery business. He opened the IGA grocery in Decatur and Newton and operated the Newton store until his retirement.

During his active years, he was a member and served as President of the Decatur Businessmen's Club, a member and President of the Decatur Lion's Club, and the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. He was a Director for many years of the Newton County Development Association.

He has long been a member of the Decatur United Methodist Church joining as a youth and accepting Christ as his Savior. He served as Chairman of the Board and on various committees, and for several years taught the Men's Sunday School class.

Mr. Griff (as he was called) was an avid cattle farmer owning a herd of registered Hereford cows for many years. He enjoyed cutting and baling hay and could be seen after hours and on Saturdays on the tractor in the hay field. He was also a devoted father and husband spending time coaching Little League baseball and assisting in Boy Scouts activities. He exposed his children to cultural opportunities with international travel to London, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Mexico City. He and his wife also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Bermuda, and Yugoslavia.

He had an infectious sense of humor and enjoyed joking around with his employees and customers. Even after he retired, the employees said, "Mr. Griff makes me laugh."

He is survived by his wife of 57 years; one son, John David Griffin (Patsy); two daughters, Sara Diane Huey (David) and Kim Griffin Adcock (Tracy); three grandchildren, Haley Huey, Griffin and Guyton Adcock; sister, Euner Lee Johnson; two sister-in-laws, Nina Griffin and Bobbie Griffin; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by step-grandchildren, Corey Boykin (Randall), Bethany Files (Jeremy), and Heather Garrison; and step-great grandchildren, Meredith Files, Aiden and Avery Boykin.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Fred, Sam, and Jack; and sisters, Mavis and Sarah Lois; nephew, Danny Griffin; and niece, Barbara McDowell.