Cindy Pennell Griffin

 August 18, 1964 – November 22, 2020

Cindy Pennell Griffin, 56, of Bainbridge, GA, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2020.

A private graveside funeral service will be held at Oak City Cemetery with Rev. Stephen Webb and Rev. Larry Roberts officiating. Due to the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, those attending are asked to maintain the recommended safe social distancing of six feet and/or wear protective masks in accordance with the State of Georgia guidelines.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to GA Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, 3000 Hwy 42 N, McDonough, GA 30253; Bainbridge Decatur County Humane Society, 1250 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, GA 39819; or the charity of your choice.

Cynthia Kay Pennell was born August 18, 1964 in Brunswick, GA, the daughter of Dr. James Thomas Pennell and Sandra Kite Pennell. She was a graduate of Glynn Academy. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill College and master’s in education from Valdosta State University. Cindy moved to Bainbridge in 1986 as a young schoolteacher at John Johnson Elementary. She married Wiley Griffin III in 1989 and staked her claim in Decatur County where she spent years in classrooms at Jones-Wheat Elementary and Hutto Middle School. Cindy was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Fiercely loyal, brutally honest, and always willing to take a chance on a child, Cindy Griffin was one helluva teacher and friend to many in our community. She kept private matters private and worked diligently behind the scenes to help others in need. She never wanted recognition; her school family voted her as Teacher of the Year without her consent. She was an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan: win, lose or tie. Cindy loved her cats and dogs but her “man”, Woody, was the favorite. After retirement, Cindy became a shutterbug documenting incredible shots from the moon and back. Cindy was all about family and loved her nieces and nephews. (She was more like their sister than an aunt.) Her boys, Wiley Gator and Jimbo, brought her immeasurable joy and gave her plenty to brag on.

Survivors include her husband of 31 years, Wiley G. Griffin III; her boys, Wiley Griffin IV of Lafayette, LA and Jim Griffin of Tallahassee, FL; her parents, Jimmy & Sandra Pennell of Lake Junaluska, NC; her siblings, Andy & Julia Pennell of Pine Mountain, GA, and Tim & Carla Pennell of Athens, GA; and several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Cindy was preceded in death by her beloved canine confidant, Woody.