Mr. Claude E. “Cosmo” Griffith, age 94, Jonesborough, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Cornerstone Village South, Johnson City.
Mr. Griffith was born in Honaker, Virginia and son of the late Harry James & Syble Selma Johnson Griffith. He was also preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.
He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kingsport.
Mr. Griffith was a United States Navy Veteran. He was a member of Bristol Forge Blacksmith and volunteered at Rocky Mount and Tipton Haynes.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Shawn & Terri Griffith and Jonathan & Parise Griffith; grandchildren, Noah Griffith, Nicole Griffith, Zane Griffith and Shelby Griffith; and several nephews and nieces.
The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 pm Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home. Military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Boones Dam Post 4933.
05/09/2017
Gary Walrath, Rocky Mount Historic Site
On behalf of the board and staff at Rocky Mount who worked with Cosmo, we send our condolences to his family upon his passing. He brought absolute passion to all that he did - interpreting, blacksmithing, storytelling and especially life.
Cosmo was one of those rare people who make everyone they came
in contact with better.
04/30/2017
Veronica Maupin
I am a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. I
enjoyed having Mr Griffith worship with us. He was
a very nice person and we will miss his smiling
face and wonderful personality. Many condolences
to his family and may God Bless all of you. Sorry
that I could not make it to the visitation.
04/30/2017
Janet Barker Ragan
Shawn & Jonathan
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was always a
special person . Enjoyed him and Evelyn so much. Always had
some stories to tell. My mother was Anne Griffith Barker
Vannoy. Uncle Harry's sister. Didn't know this until today again
so sorry. He was a great man.
04/29/2017
Chris Caryer Cruz
My grandma Margaret was Claude's sister. He was a pistol. He always had a way to make you laugh. He took awesome pictures. Whenever he came to visit, we had to get dressed for pics. I can still see him like it was yesterday. I love you Uncle Claude & will miss you dearly.
04/29/2017
Bill and Carol Brown
You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
We have many happy memories of Claude and the
Griffiths at Concordia Lutheran Church. Both our
families were charter members from way back in the
Pet Dairy days. Everyone was family then and
always will be. I'm sorry for your suffering.
Tom and Eloise Pierson
Kingsport
Rest in Peace Uncle Cosmo. You will be greatly
missed by many many people.
04/28/2017
Robert A. Dye 1st. cousin
Claude (Cosmo)we will miss you especially all the family reunions you organized over the years and all the Family we were connected with because of the reunions. you were one of a kind (And I mean-in a good way). My sons Robby, Patrick AND David
all really liked talking to you and all the stories you shared with them. you were loved and you will be missed. Robert and Brenda Dye.
Cosmo broke the news that Santa wasn't real to my sister and
me when we were little girls. He roared his car down our
driveway hollering "ho,ho,ho and Merry Christmas" as he
came to deliver our Christmas present which our parents had
hidden at his house. Two excited little girls were watching out
the upstairs window.
He was always funny and always laughing. It was a joy to see
him coming. We would go to the movies at Eastman and
always look for Claude. I think my sister and I were more
excited about seeing Claude than seeing the movie.
Claude was beloved by all at the Rhea household.
My sympathies and prayers to Claude's family.
