Mr. Dwayne Bernard Griar

Dwayne Bernard Griar was born on July 16, 1959 at Griffin-Spalding County Hospital (Griffin, Georgia) to the late Alma Louise Griar and John Hood. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his mother when he was 3 years old.

He accepted our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at an early age and began serving. His most vivid memory that he often shared was his first Easter speech at Morningstar Baptist Church (3 years old), “Why y’all lookin’ at me today, I just came to say that today is Easter day”. He attended Robert H. Jamison and John Adams High School (Class of 1977) where he met his lifetime friends and formed a brotherhood known as “The Christ Brothers”. They celebrated life and were a strength for each other. Over the years, their bonds strengthened as they began their own families and their impact extended into

the community, always willing to help others. Forty years later, they are still known for their love of family and the community... no matter where they are.

After high school, Dwayne joined the United States Navy, stationed in San Diego, California and traveled around the world while serving his country on the ship, USS Tarawa. He received a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (second) and a Navy Expeditionary Medal for service in Iran. Upon his Honorable discharge in 1981, he returned to Cleveland, Ohio, began his work career and married his high school sweetheart, Mabel Cavanaugh on September 1, 1984. To this union, 2 daughters were born: Tiffany and Totney and he later gained 2 nephew-sons, Brandon & Bradford Cavanaugh.

While actively participating in raising his family, he served in the community as a softball coach & baseball umpire for the Bedford Heights Community Center and a basketball coach for the Christian Family School (Macedonia, OH).

He continued to serve at St. Paul United Methodist Church (Cleveland, OH) as a Lay speaker, Boy Scout Leader (Pack 474), Pastor’s Council member and United Methodist Men; At Rome Missionary Baptist Church, he served on the Better Man Mentoring Ministry and the Men’s Ministry until he relocated.

He had a successful 25-year healthcare career that began in Cleveland where he developed an impeccable work ethic. As a Manager at St. Vincent Charity Hospital, he found a way to merge ministry and work taking on the motto, “Our faith calls us to a higher standard in all that we do”.

From Ohio to West Virginia to Pennsylvania and then finally to Georgia, he unashamedly shared the Word of God and the love of Christ, touching the lives of many employees and managers in the

workplace. He went full-circle in his life when he relocated to Griffin, Georgia in July 2018. On July 11, 2019, he transitioned into eternal life at Griffin-Spalding Hospital.

Dwayne will be missed for his family gatherings, expert grilling, love of movies, sports, dancing and quick

wit.

He leaves to cherish the memories of his life, a devoted wife, Mabel; two loving daughters: Tiffany (Cleveland, OH) and Totney (Houston, TX); Sister-in-love, Gloria Cavanaugh, Nephew- sons, Bradford Cavanaugh, Brandon Cavanaugh (Los Angeles, CA); Mother-in-Law, Corine Cavanaugh; Father-in-Law, Rev. Curtis Cavanaugh, Jr.; Brother-in-Law, Michael Cavanaugh; Matriarch Aunt, Eugenia Thomas; Grand-nephew, Zion Little, The Christ Brothers: Louis Little (Susan), John D. Shannon (Dorcas), Hosea Jackson (JoAnne), Carl Kirtley & Michael Bowles (Crystal) Georgia Siblings: Kenneth Ellison (Catherine);

Nathan Boynton (deceased), Phyllis Walker (Tim), Lisa Gardner Green, Jonathan Hood and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends!