Roberts, W. Griffin
ROBERTS, Jr., W. Griffin
W. Griffin (Griff) Roberts of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully on December 26 at the age of 90.
Griff was born in Birmingham to W. Griffin Roberts, Sr. and Essie Mae Hicks Roberts. When he was five, the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Griff graduated from Fulton High School in 1947. He went on to graduate from the University of Georgia- Atlanta and John Marshall Law School. Griff began work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1952. It was during his assignment to the Los Angeles field office that he met his future wife, Dolores (Dee) Shaffer. They were married for 54 wonderful years before she passed away in 2014.
Griff worked for the FBI for 30 years, serving as a Special Agent in field offices across the country including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, New York City, Memphis, TN, and Atlanta. His areas of specialty included Foreign Counter Intelligence, Criminal Matters, and Applicant Coordination. Though his work was highly classified, he was known to be fluent in Russian… He retired from the Atlanta office in 1982 and continued his career in the Corporate Security Division of Delta Airlines and then with Delta Global Services until his final retirement in 2002.
Griff was a member of the Atlanta Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar, Atlanta; Yaarab Shriners, Atlanta; The Club, Birmingham; and a lifetime member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Known for his dry wit and love of a good vodka tonic (his "medicine"), Griff was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was also a man of strong faith. He and Dee were founding members of The Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Marietta, Georgia. They were also faithful members of their adopted home parish of St. Mary's-on-the-Highlands in Birmingham. Griff's interests were varied; he enjoyed amateur photography, Civil War history, travel, being at the beach, and napping. Above all, Griff was devoted family man. His priority was always taking care of his loved ones.
Griff leaves behind two daughters Melinda Roberts and Melodie Elam, his favorite son-in-law Brandon Elam, and his only grandchild Olivia Elam, who adored her Big Daddy.
The family would like to thank the Rev. H. Huey Gardner, the Rev. Jeremy L. Carlson, both of St. Mary's; the clergy and staff of St. Martin's-in-the-Pines, especially the Rev. Jennifer Riddle, the Rev. Kaki O'Flynn, Lisa Morris; and Griff's wonderful caregivers Melissa Lewis, Tamika Polnette, Tonia Patton, Nyeshia Swope, and Marie Lipscomb.
A family service of Christian burial will take place at St. Mary's. A larger celebration of Griff's life will be held once travel becomes safe again for his many friends and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Mary's-on-the-Highlands Capital Campaign (1910 12th Avenue, S. Birmingham, AL 35205) or St. Martin's-in-the Pines (4941 Montevallo Rd, Irondale, AL 35210).
"I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."
