Elwin Jabez Griffith

Prof. Elwin Griffith, age 77 of Orlando, Florida, formerly of Tallahassee, Florida died at home surrounded by family and friends, after a battle with cancer. Prof. Griffith was the eldest son of the late Rev. Vincent & Ermie Griffith, of Barbados, the West Indies where he attended Harrison College, and actively participated as a choir boy in the St. Michael’s Cathedral choir.

Prof. Griffith moved to the United States at the age of 17 to begin his college education. He attended Long Island University, Brooklyn Law School and New York University where he received his BA, JD, and LLM degrees.

Prof Griffith married the love of his life, Norma Joyce (Rollins) in 1962, and began his teaching career at Cleveland Marshall University in Cleveland, Ohio. He followed his passion for teaching to Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was an Asst. Dean and Prof. He later moved his family to accept an assignment at the University of Cincinnati Law School where he was Associate Prof. of Law and Associate Dean and the first person of color to join the faculty. In 1979, he relocated to Chicago, IL where he served as Dean of Law at DePaul University. Prof Griffith remained at DePaul until 1986 when he and Joyce moved to Tallahassee where he continued his career at Florida State University Law School, retiring from FSU in 2015 as Prof. Emeritus.

Prof. Griffith’s life revolved around his wife of 53 years, Joyce, his daughter Traci, Jaden, his grandson and his loving interactions with his siblings and close friends. He was an active member of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal church in Tallahassee where he served in the church choir, the vestry, and other committees. Prof. Griffith was an active participant in community committees that supported his profession, his faith & other important social issues.

He made a positive impact on the lives of many students, friends, and family, and this remains his legacy. His students valued his love for teaching, and his ethical commitment to excellence in the practice of Law. Prof. Griffith was also committed to his Caribbean heritage, serving as the director of the Caribbean Law Institute at Florida State University. He was a prolific writer, and accomplished scholar. His articles were cited as a source of research for the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal appeals system.

Prof Griffith is survived by his wife, Norma Joyce, his daughter Traci, grandson Jaden and siblings; Marjorie, Vincent, Ezra, Marlene, Frank, and Joan; in-laws Nigel, Brigitte, Euston, Gilbert and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the FSU College of Law for the Elwin J. Griffith Memorial Scholarship.

Checks can be made out to FSU College of Law for the “Elwin J. Griffith Endowed Scholarship” and sent to Florida State University College of Law 425 W. Jefferson St Tallahassee, FL 32306-1601

Online Donations can be made at give.fsu.edu/law Please designate other, and note “Elwin J. Griffith Endowed Scholarship” in the text box.