They were joined in marriage for 54 years. After Charles “Skip” Griffies went to his heavenly home July 24, his wife Jane Ruth Clark Griffies went with him within hours, dying on July 25.
The two were staples of East Alabama’s Childersburg and Talladega until their retirement to Port St. Joe, Fla., in 2005. Now, they have come home for their eternal resting place.
A graveside ceremony was held for both of them on July 30 at Talladega’s Oak Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in Port St. Joe at a later date.
Skip was a graduate of Childersburg High School’s Class of 1963. A highlight of his time as a student-athlete was playing under legendary Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant in the Alabama All-Star Game. That began his passionate support of Alabama football. He was a proud member of the University of Alabama’s Red Elephant Club.
Skip earned his degree from Samford University in 1967, where he was a roommate and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brother of Bill Armistead, later chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
Skip then taught and coached at his alma mater, Childersburg High (1967–1970), Talladega High School (1970–1972), and the Alabama School for the Deaf (1974–1978, 1981–1987), where he led his team to a national championship. He also served as an instructor of college prep and driver training at E.H. Gentry Technical Facility for the Deaf and Blind and later retired from the Helen Keller School in 1997.
In retirement, he was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church in Port St. Joe and volunteered at the Two Fish Ministries.
Throughout his life, Skip found joy on the water. While living in Alabama, he spent most mornings fishing on Logan Martin Lake and never passed up the chance to compete in a fishing tournament. After moving to Florida in 2005, he traded in freshwater for saltwater, enjoying countless days bay fishing with his good friends.
Jane Ruth Clark Griffies was 76 years old at her passing.
Born in Talladega in 1949, Jane graduated from Talladega High School, where she was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1968. She attended Jacksonville State University and went on to build a career as both a banker and a dedicated teacher at E.H. Gentry and the Alabama School for the Deaf. She was also a devoted member of First United Methodist Church of Talladega from 1972 to 2005 when she retired to Florida.
Jane and Skip Griffies married in March 1971.
After retiring to Florida in 2005, Jane found happiness in sunsets, gardening, and beach walks. She became an active member of Port St. Joe First United Methodist Church and found great fulfillment volunteering with the Care Closet, Two Fish Ministries, at the polls during election season, and at the Port St. Joe Welcome Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Ginger Griffies Scholarship Fund at Talladega First Methodist, 400 South Street East, Talladega, AL 35160. The loss of their daughter Ginger had been a difficult challenge for Skip and Jane.
Honorary pallbearers for Coach Skip will be like a reunion of football teams: Childersburg High School football teams (1967-1970), Talladega High School football teams (1970-1972), and ASD football teams (1974-1978 and 1981-1987).
He leaves behind a legacy of former students, players, and friends whose lives were forever shaped by his wisdom, patience and quiet strength. He was a coach, mentor, husband, father and Papa.
She was a banker, teacher, dedicated church leader and faithful friend.
Together in life, together in death.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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