DECATUR - Services for Buner Lee "B.L." Griffin will be held today, Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Decatur United Methodist Church with burial at Newton County Memorial Gardens. Bro. Bruce Taylor will officiate with Newton County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Mr. Griffin, 82, of Decatur, died Saturday, April 4, 2015 at his residence. Born Oct. 19, 1932 to parents Austin and Sarah Elizabeth Hollingsworth Griffin in the Macedonia Community west of Decatur, he was one of seven children, Fred, Sam, Jack, Mavis, Sarah Lois, and his twin sister, Euner Lee. His father died at an early age, and the family moved to Decatur. B.L. was an industrious young man and during his high school and junior college days, he worked for Reginald Thames in his tractor business. He graduated from Decatur High School, East Central Junior College, and Mississippi State University where he received a degree in accounting. He served in the Mississippi National Guard and the US Army. He was stationed after basic training at Fort Monmouth, N.J. and then to Mount Lemon at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Upon leaving the army, he worked for the Texas Company in Dallas, Texas as an accountant. In 1957, he married his high school sweet heart, Sarah Craft from Union, and they became the parents of three children, John David, Sara Diane, and Kim Leigh. In 1959, he was selected Business Manager at ECJC and remained in that position for 16 years. Once he returned to his hometown, he worked diligently toward the growth of Decatur. In 1970, he brought the concept of "dollar store shopping" to Decatur by opening the United Dollar Store. In 1975, he resigned his position as Business Manager at ECJC and began a long career in the grocery business. He opened the IGA grocery in Decatur and Newton and operated the Newton store until his retirement. During his active years, he was a member and served as President of the Decatur Businessmen's Club, a member and President of the Decatur Lion's Club, and the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. He was a Director for many years of the Newton County Development Association. He has long been a member of the Decatur United Methodist Church joining as a youth and accepting Christ as his Savior. He served as Chairman of the Board and on various committees, and for several years taught the Men's Sunday School class. Mr. Griff (as he was called) was an avid cattle farmer owning a herd of registered Hereford cows for many years. He enjoyed cutting and baling hay and could be seen after hours and on Saturdays on the tractor in the hay field. He was also a devoted father and husband spending time coaching Little League baseball and assisting in Boy Scouts activities. He exposed his children to cultural opportunities with international travel to London, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Mexico City. He and his wife also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Bermuda, and Yugoslavia. He had an infectious sense of humor and enjoyed joking around with his employees and customers. Even after he retired, the employees said, "Mr. Griff makes me laugh." He is survived by his wife of 57 years; one son, John David Griffin (Patsy); two daughters, Sara Diane Huey (David) and Kim Griffin Adcock (Tracy); three grandchildren, Haley Huey, Griffin and Guyton Adcock; sister, Euner Lee Johnson; two sister-in-laws, Nina Griffin and Bobbie Griffin; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by step-grandchildren, Corey Boykin (Randall), Bethany Files (Jeremy), and Heather Garrison; and step-great grandchildren, Meredith Files, Aiden and Avery Boykin. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred, Sam, and Jack; and sisters, Mavis and Sarah Lois; nephew, Danny Griffin; and niece, Barbara McDowell.