Deacon Pernell John McGriff, 86, of 1344 Calvert Drive, departed this life on Sunday morning, June 3, 2012 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born February 27, 1926 in Lancaster, SC to the late Hazel William and Katherine McIlwain McGriff.

Deacon McGriff was a retired employee of McLean Trucking Company. He was a producer, an announcer, and program host at various radio stations which included WSMX: Winston-Salem, NC, WTNC: Thomasville, NC, and WOKX: High Point, NC.

Deacon McGriff was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy and receiving an honorable discharge.

He was a member of United Progressive Baptist Church for over 50 years. He served on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Deacons, and Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Deacon McGriff was the manager and booking agent for "The Friendly Five."

Deacon McGriff was preceded in death by his parents; his oldest daughter, Harritte L. McGriff Parker; six brothers, Hazel (Naomi) McGriff, Walter McGriff, Andrew McGriff, Jerry McGriff, Jimie McGriff, and Cleother McGriff; two sisters, Alberta McGriff and Magaline McGriff; and three sisters-in-law, Mary Broome McGriff, Betty Lou McGriff, and Betty McGriff.

Those left to cherish many loving memories are his devoted wife of 65 years, Mary McKinney McGriff of the home; two daughters, Kathy A McGriff of Hamlet, NC and his caregiver, Denise Y. McGriff of the home; five grandchildren, David McGriff, Leslie D. Parker of Hamlet, NC, Harold E. Parker of Fayetteville, NC, Renee A. Parker of Star, NC, and Jeffrey D. Parker of Greenville, NC; two great-granddaughters, Tiandra Gillespie and DaShaun Gillespie of Bennettsville, SC; one brother, Leroy McGriff of the city; three sisters, Virginia (Ira) McCullough of the city, Alicia Barksdale of the city, and Betty (Ken) Magee of Texas City, TX; special friends of the family, Jose' Miranda, Joseph Mercer, and Kieonda Miller; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Monday, June 11, 2012 at United Progressive Baptist Church with Pastor Lewis E. Devlin officiating. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Monday at the Church.