Paris, Tenn.–Long-time Paris Civic Leader Gayle Griffith passed away Saturday, February 28, at Henry County Health and Rehabilitation. He was 84.
Griffith was a long-time member of the Paris City Commission and planning commission, was a member and past president of the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and was active in several organizations, including Paris-Lakeway Kiwanis, Paris-Henry County Jaycees, and was US Navy veteran, having received the Purple Heart.
Robert “Gayle” Griffith was born in Martin, TN, on May 24, 1941, to the late Basil Ivo Griffith, and the late Mildred Glover. On May 26, 1990, he married Ginny Griffith, who preceded him in death on November 11, 2014.
Gayle was US Navy veteran serving three years in and around Vietnam including a tour as officer in charge of Swift Boat Patrol. After being wounded, he was honorably discharged as Lieutenant Colonel and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He later served in the Tennessee State Guard. Gayle worked many years in the insurance industry at Balch and Reynolds and then Consolidated Insurance Agencies in Paris. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Paris, as well as the Lakeway Kiwanis Club and the Paris–Henry County Jaycees. He was also an active member of the Paris–Henry County Chamber of Commerce, where he previously served as President. Gayle was a Paris City Commissioner and faithfully served in that role from first elected in 1993 until 2022. Known by his family and many members of the Paris Community, Gayle was hailed as the world’s best steak griller.
He is survived by two daughters, Gwen Griffith (Hank) Dalehite of Horn Lake, MS, and Jody Griffith of Paris, TN; stepson, Mark Lee; one sister, Linda (Wade) Mansfield of Dresden, TN; four grandchildren, Marcus (Julia) Ford, Andy (Taylor) Ford, Ethan Lee, and Olivia Lee; and two great-grandchildren.
Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242, is handling the arrangements. His remains are to be cremated with a memorial visitation to be held Friday, March 13, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and continue Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church- Paris. A memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, with Hickman Ewing and Haley Robinson officiating.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Burt Reneger, George Montgomery, Dwain Taylor, Terry Murphree, Steve Farmer, and David Hicks.