Janet Thompson Griffith

Born August 7, 1944, Janet was the daughter of George Edward Thompson and Ingeborg Elizabeth Astrom Thompson.  She was a native Athenian who graduated from Athens High School, class of 1962, and then graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in accounting.  She married James “Pee Wee” Griffith in 1964 and they were together until his death in 2019.  She was the bookkeeper for the family business, A. B. Griffeth & Sons, which was run by her husband, James, and brother-in-law, Wayman, for many years up until their retirement in 2009.

Janet was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens where she volunteered for many years at the Episcopal Thrift House. She was an avid gardener and had been a member of the Classic City Gardeners garden club for years.  Anyone who knew her loved to sit on her back deck and enjoy all of her flowers and plants and watch the wildlife in the woods behind her house.  She was a traveler and was always ready for a fun adventure.  In her life, she had been a camper, a scuba diver, and girl scout leader.  She loved meeting up with old friends including monthly lunches with a group of her high school girlfriends.  One of her greatest joys was caring for many of the children in her extended family.  She loved to babysit and do crafts and pass on her sewing and cooking skills.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Albert Griffith and her sister, Ellen Thompson Reid of Charleston, SC.  She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Astrom Griffith; her sisters-in-law, JoAnn Griffeth and Pat Powell; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and family at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens in the small chapel on Tuesday evening, August 26, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Services will also be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Wednesday, August 27 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the church.

A private burial will be held later at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.