NEWSOMS—Charles Edward “Chuck” Griffith, 64, passed away after a brief illness on June 28, 2014, at his residence with his family at his side.

Chuck was born in Farmville, and was a longtime resident of Southampton County. He was a son of the late Charles L. and Louise Amos Griffith.

He had retired from the Transportation Department of International Paper after 28 years with the company.

He was a member of Newsoms United Methodist Church, a longtime youth baseball coach in Newsoms, and was the safety officer and the second-longest active member of the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department with over 37 years of service.

He was an avid gardener who had to have a red tomato before July 4th, and was a heck of a fisherman who enjoyed taking his grandchildren to Lake Gaston.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 48 years, Priscilla Tucker Griffith; three sons, Greg Griffith (Shawna) of Boykins, Scott Griffith (Kelly) of Newsoms, David Griffith (Shena) of Murfreesboro; three brothers, C.P. Griffith (Janice) of Franklin, Steve Griffith (Denise) of Drewryville and Wayne Griffith (Renee) of Franklin; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Rhiannon, Madelyn, Anna, Jackson, Chase and David Griffith Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Mariyah Griffith and Kenzo Menelly; and nieces and nephews.

The funeral will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Darwin Edwards officiating. Burial with Fireman honors will follow at Hollywood Cemetery, Newsoms.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and suggests memorials be made to the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 209, Newsoms, VA 23874. www.wrightfuneralhome.org