Bertha Griffin

BERTHA LOUISE CUNNINGHAM GRIFFIN, 96, departed this earthly life on Monday, June 8, 2026, at her residence in Columbia, South Carolina. Born on February 8, 1930, in Blythewood, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Dock Cunningham & Lula Woodard Cunningham. After moving to New Jersey, she graduated from Eastside High School in Newark. She met the love of her life, James Griffin, Sr., at the age of thirteen, and they later married on February 1, 1947. Bertha Griffin was employed in many diverse capacities throughout her life including: a cashier with the Bamberger Company (currently Macy’s Department Store), a licensed psychiatric technician at Greystone Medical Institution, and a Manager at an OBGYN medical practice. In 1963, she founded and became Executive Director of the Girls Friday Secretarial School and later established the only medical secretarial school for black women and girls in the state of New Jersey. She became the Director of Comprehensive Manpower Delivery System, a government-funded program. Continuing her passion for entrepreneurship, she also founded the Porter House Cleaning and Maintenance Company in Edison, New Jersey, and served as its President and Chief Operating Officer. In 1981, she testified before the US Congress regarding government funding for minority owned businesse development. Shortly after her congressional testimony, she was awarded a federal contract and met the then current president, Jimmy Carter. After returning to her beloved home state of South Carolina, she and her husband enjoyed spending time with family and working in the family-owned seafood restaurant, Blythewood Seafood Emporium located at 2000 Clemson Rd #6 In Columbia, SC, in her spare time, she enjoyed bridge parties and entertaining. Bertha Griffen loved her church family at First Northeast Baptist Church. She was actively involved in many church ministries and was treasured as the “MOTHER “ of First Northeast Baptist Church. She touched the lives of many people, from all walks of life, who loved her dearly. On November 25, 2016, her beloved husband, James Griffin, Sr., passed away peacefully. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters: Lois Hudson, Carrie Miller, and Lillian Pope; six brothers: David Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham, William Cunningham, George Cunningham, Walter Cunningham and Leroy Cunningham. She leaves to cherish precious memories three children, Wayne Griffin, and Denise Bryant and Geoffrey Griffin; five grandchildren: Dwayne Griffin, Jamal Bryant, Shakeer Bryant, Dawn Bryant, and Lindsey Griffin; thirteen great- grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Bertha had a special place in her heart for her devoted and loving daughter- in-law, Phyllis.

Bertha Griffin

February 8, 1930 - June 8, 2026