Franklin Dennis Griffis, 81, of Odum, Ga. passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025 in the Hospice of South Georgia Inpatient Unit.  The Odum native and lifetime resident graduated from Odum High School in 1961.  Franklin attended Brewton Parker College before transferring to Southern Technical Institute in Marietta.  While attending Southern Technical Institute, he married Mary Ann Johnson of Baxley and then graduated in 1967. He served in the National Guard Reserve and later was employed by the Georgia Department of Transportation where he worked as the District Administrative Officer, retiring after 30 years.

Some of his civic memberships included Wayne County Farmers Association, Wayne County Livestock Association, member of the Wayne County Hospital Authority for over 18 years, and was a part of the first Leadership Wayne Class.  Franklin was an avid fisherman and particularly enjoyed salt water fishing. He could have been seen riding through the fields to check on his herds of mixed cows.

Franklin was the chief chef preparing delicious meals with his wife alongside as his sous chef.  Breakfast was his specialty for his children's friends and always had homemade fries for his grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death along with his sisters, Netherae Griffis Morris, Victoria Griffis Schue and Dorothy Griffis Shaffer.

Franklin is survived by his devoted wife of almost 60 years, Mary Ann Griffis of Odum; children, Traci Griffis (Damon) Wright and Jared Todd (Kipsey) Griffis; grandchildren, Emily (John) Longenecker, John Damon Wright, Katherine Jane Wright, Tanner Reid Griffis, Audrey Amanda Griffis, and two bonus granddaughters, Carolina Elise Stotts and Molly Grace Stotts; great granddaughters, Anna Katherine and Isabel Jane Longenecker; sisters, Doreatha Griffis Hodges, Una Griffis Crews and Dana Griffis Mosley; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Odum City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.