Matthew Ryan "Matt" Griffin

Funeral services for Matt Griffin will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Blackwater Baptist Church with Reverend Heath Riggs and Ian Derrick officiating. Burial will follow at Blackwater Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Matt Griffin, age 27, of the Blackwater Community passed away Friday, May 27, 2016 at his home.

Matt was first diagnosed with cancer, in 2005, at the age of 16.  In 2006, he served as Honorary Chairman for Kemper County Relay for Life, where his story was shared in hopes of bringing more awareness to Testicular Cancer.

Being a gifted musician, Matt participated in the AOG National Fine Arts Competition, in Charlotte, NC 2008.  He was one of only two Mississippians who received a call back and placed in the top ten in the Guitar Solo category. He also shared his beautiful talent in his home church and various worship bands throughout the local area.

It was on preparing to enter his senior year as a Graphic Design major, at USM,  that Matt learned his cancer had returned.  Having fought a long, hard battle, he rarely complained, always exhibited his strong faith in God and great courage.

Matt’s family, friends, classmates and teachers will remember him as the sometimes quiet, but often funny, quick witted, young man who made life more enjoyable for all who had the pleasure to know him.

He is survived by parents, Bill and Melanie Griffin; brother, Tyler Griffin and wife, Kate; maternal grandmother, Shelba Myers; aunts and uncles, Chandra Mathis (Mike), Chris Myers (Belinda), Terri Reese (Rick), and Suzanne Franks; numerous cousins; and his beloved Boston Terrier, Dixie.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James and Freda Griffin; maternal grandfather, Reverend Carey Myers; and an uncle, James “Jimbo” Griffin.

Pallbearers will be Zack Hooper, Forrest Marlowe, Tyler Turner, Will Moore, Shannon Threadgill, Josh Byrd, Matt Stephens, and Nathan Farley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Pham, Drew Do, Tyler Hughes, Ethan Manning, Monte Ellis, and Ryan Butler.

The family request memorials be made to the Son Foundation, P.O. Box 17036, Indianapolis, IN 46217 or the Fairhaven Foundation, P.O. Box 441683, Indianapolis, IN 46244.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.