James Allen Griggs

James Allen Griggs, 55, of Bono, died Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born October 2, 1956 in Flint, Michigan. He was a graduate of Greene County Tech High School. James proudly served his country for over 20 years and was retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant, having served three years as a drill instructor at Paris Island, SC. His military awards include good conduct medal with 5 stars, letter of appreciation, meritorious mast, navy acheivement medal with 3 stars, meritorious unit commendation with star, national defense service, certificate of commendation, armed forces service medal, sea service deployment ribbon. He was a Journeyman electrician with Griggs Electric. He was a member of Strawfloor Baptist Church in Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his father, Otis Griggs, step-father, J. T. Lands, grandparents, Ray and Beryl Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Ester Griggs. He is survived by his wife: Debbie Griggs of the home; daughters and sons-in-law: Nikki and PFC Alan Henson of Jacksonville, NC; April Sheffield of Pocahontas; Shaunda and Randy Neely of Memphis, TN; Elizabeth Crow of Bono; son and daughter-in-law: Matthew and Robin Russell of Jonesboro; mother: Sue Lands of Paragould; brothers and sister-in-law: Larry and Vicki Griggs of Paragould; Roger Griggs of Elizabeth City, NC; sisters and brothers-in-law: Carolyn and Rick Valentine, Teresa and Scotty Rogers all of Paragould; grandchildren: Logan Parker Griggs, Spencer Allen Henson, Belladonna Skye Henson, Deborah Allison Sheffield, Jordan Leeann Cates, Gregory Hunter DeLoach, Austin Levi DeLoach, Brianna Nicole Russell, Dalton Dakota Russell, Jayden Lee Russell, Rena Nicole Knowles, William Jacob Knowles, Jonathon Neely, Jessica Neely and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Thursday at Heath Funeral Home. The celebration of his life will be at 11:00 AM, Friday at Heath Colonial Chapel with Reverends Wilburn Griggs and Don Miller officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Knot Cemetery. He will have complete funeral military honors. The United States Marine Corps will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, MD 20814 or American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. To sign online register, visit www.heathfuneralhome.com