Olie J. Griffin, Jr.
December 27th, 1988 - November 12th, 2023
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Olie's Obituary
Our Beloved Olie J. Griffin Jr. 34, of Benton Harbor, MI, departed this joyful life on Sunday, November 12, 2023, in St. Joseph, MI.
A Celebration of Olie’s Life will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 25, 2023, at New Bethel Baptist Church, 2360 Townline Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, with Rev. Maurice McAfee as Funeral Celebrate. Visitation for Friends will take place, prior to service, beginning promptly at 10:00A.M. until 10:50 A.M. A procession will commence to North Shore Memorial Gardens, located at 5027
M 63 N, Coloma, MI 49038, immediately following the service. Anyone wishing to express heartfelt memories and/or messages of love may do so at: www.starksfamilyfh.com/locations/st-joseph
Olie “Ovelli” J. Griffin Jr. was born December 27, 1988, in St. Joseph, MI to his loving parents Casanda Booker & Olie J. Griffin Sr. Olie attended Benton Harbor area schools in his early adolescent years and was a 2007 graduate of Harrison High school, in Farmington Hills, MI.
Words cannot express the impact Olie had on the lives of the people he encountered. A glorious smile that would brighten up the darkest room, a laugh that was contagious and yet smooth…. hence “Ovelli The Don”. A charming young man with the zest of life in the palm of his hands, and there was never a dull moment with him around. Olie was Kindhearted and genuine soul, with a positive outlook on life. Olie’s hard work ethic was fostered by his family, at an early age. He began his employment at Jay’s Restaurant at the tender age of 5. He furthered his employment with Chassix Manufacturer, for an extended period. In full circle he returned to work at Jay’s Restaurant side by side with the first love of his life, his grandmother “Mama Jay”.
Olie’s admiration for his grandfather “Pops” fueled his passion for cars……preferably “FAST and FORGEIN”. Most would call him a car enthusiast. “Mr. Ralph Lauren Polo”, Cars, and a Good Time; he “WAS” the life of the party! Olie was “that” FAVORITE BROTHER, COUSIN, and FRIEND… He was loved by so many and will be truly missed all!
A respectable, young man with strong morals and family values, Olie was a loving and compassionate son, father, grandson, brother, and nephew. He leaves to cherish his memory:
parents-Casanda Booker, Olie J. Griffin, Sr. of Benton Harbor, MI; 2 loving children- Braylin Dortch and Harlem Griffin of Benton Harbor, MI; paternal grandparents – Joe and Claire Griffin of Benton Harbor, MI; 2 brothers- DeAndre Lynch of Alpharetta, GA, Antony Griffin; 3 sisters- Ashley Johnson, Jayla Griffin of Benton Harbor, MI, Taylor Beauford; 5 cousins like brothers; Joe Griffin III of Benton Harbor, MI, Justin Griffin of Indianapolis, IN, Erick Simmons of Alpharetta, GA, LeRon Gibson of Detroit, MI, Jamil Harris of Atlanta, GA; 3 aunts- Glenda L. Paul of Plant City, FL, Jaqueland Booker (Steven Lyles) of Alpharetta, GA, Lori Guyton Harris of Atlanta, GA; 4 uncles- Vernon T. Phillips Jr., Collins Booker of Grand Rapids, MI, Ronny Booker, Derrick Peet of Benton Harbor, MI; long-term companion and special friend Zaqyua Traylor; special “like daughter”- Dior Morrow; special home boys- DeMarcus Carter, Charles Peoples, Levell Traylor and a host Great Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Friends and Extended Family.
Olie was preceded in death by his maternal great grandparents, Elmo and Lucille Booker; his paternal great grandparents, Robert and Lillian Griffin, Olie and Ester Dixon; his maternal grandparents, Dianna “Queen B” Booker and Joe Peet; his uncle, Joe R. Griffin II; his cousins “like brothers” Eric Ballard Jr and Delray Lloyd Jr.
Special memories of Olie and how he touched the lives of every one of us will flow through our hearts and thoughts forever!
A Celebration of Olie’s Life will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 25, 2023, at New Bethel Baptist Church, 2360 Townline Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, with Rev. Maurice McAfee as Funeral Celebrate. Visitation for Friends will take place, prior to service, beginning promptly at 10:00A.M. until 10:50 A.M. A procession will commence to North Shore Memorial Gardens, located at 5027
M 63 N, Coloma, MI 49038, immediately following the service. Anyone wishing to express heartfelt memories and/or messages of love may do so at: www.starksfamilyfh.com/locations/st-joseph
Olie “Ovelli” J. Griffin Jr. was born December 27, 1988, in St. Joseph, MI to his loving parents Casanda Booker & Olie J. Griffin Sr. Olie attended Benton Harbor area schools in his early adolescent years and was a 2007 graduate of Harrison High school, in Farmington Hills, MI.
Words cannot express the impact Olie had on the lives of the people he encountered. A glorious smile that would brighten up the darkest room, a laugh that was contagious and yet smooth…. hence “Ovelli The Don”. A charming young man with the zest of life in the palm of his hands, and there was never a dull moment with him around. Olie was Kindhearted and genuine soul, with a positive outlook on life. Olie’s hard work ethic was fostered by his family, at an early age. He began his employment at Jay’s Restaurant at the tender age of 5. He furthered his employment with Chassix Manufacturer, for an extended period. In full circle he returned to work at Jay’s Restaurant side by side with the first love of his life, his grandmother “Mama Jay”.
Olie’s admiration for his grandfather “Pops” fueled his passion for cars……preferably “FAST and FORGEIN”. Most would call him a car enthusiast. “Mr. Ralph Lauren Polo”, Cars, and a Good Time; he “WAS” the life of the party! Olie was “that” FAVORITE BROTHER, COUSIN, and FRIEND… He was loved by so many and will be truly missed all!
A respectable, young man with strong morals and family values, Olie was a loving and compassionate son, father, grandson, brother, and nephew. He leaves to cherish his memory:
parents-Casanda Booker, Olie J. Griffin, Sr. of Benton Harbor, MI; 2 loving children- Braylin Dortch and Harlem Griffin of Benton Harbor, MI; paternal grandparents – Joe and Claire Griffin of Benton Harbor, MI; 2 brothers- DeAndre Lynch of Alpharetta, GA, Antony Griffin; 3 sisters- Ashley Johnson, Jayla Griffin of Benton Harbor, MI, Taylor Beauford; 5 cousins like brothers; Joe Griffin III of Benton Harbor, MI, Justin Griffin of Indianapolis, IN, Erick Simmons of Alpharetta, GA, LeRon Gibson of Detroit, MI, Jamil Harris of Atlanta, GA; 3 aunts- Glenda L. Paul of Plant City, FL, Jaqueland Booker (Steven Lyles) of Alpharetta, GA, Lori Guyton Harris of Atlanta, GA; 4 uncles- Vernon T. Phillips Jr., Collins Booker of Grand Rapids, MI, Ronny Booker, Derrick Peet of Benton Harbor, MI; long-term companion and special friend Zaqyua Traylor; special “like daughter”- Dior Morrow; special home boys- DeMarcus Carter, Charles Peoples, Levell Traylor and a host Great Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Friends and Extended Family.
Olie was preceded in death by his maternal great grandparents, Elmo and Lucille Booker; his paternal great grandparents, Robert and Lillian Griffin, Olie and Ester Dixon; his maternal grandparents, Dianna “Queen B” Booker and Joe Peet; his uncle, Joe R. Griffin II; his cousins “like brothers” Eric Ballard Jr and Delray Lloyd Jr.
Special memories of Olie and how he touched the lives of every one of us will flow through our hearts and thoughts forever!
Memorial Contributions
Donations in Olie's name may be made to his Children's College Fund c/o Casanda Booker
Service Details
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