Patricia Griffin Cardwell

Patricia Griffin Cardwell, 61, died Wednesday December 7, 2011 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM at the First Christian Church with Rev Karen Kelly and Rev Jim Bussell officiating; burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with military honors.

Pat was the daughter of Betty Nowarah Griffin and the late Reginald Griffin. She was a graduate of Williamston High School and a member of the First Christian Church. On December 31, 2007 Patricia retired as a Command Sergeant Major from the North Carolina Army National Guard (NCARNG) after serving her State and nation for over 28 years. At the time of her retirement, Patricia was serving in a dual status as both the Chief Personnel Services of the Human Resources Section (Active Guard Reserve (AGR) at Joint Forces Headquarters in Raleigh, NC and as the Command Sergeant Major for the 217th Human Resources Battalion Headquarters. Patricia joined the North Carolina Army National Guard as a Specialist (E-4) under the Civilian Acquired Skills Program on December 5, 1979. Patricia became a member of the full-time National Guard Force under the AGR program on May 1, 1984. She attended the United States Army Sergeants Major Course at the USA Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, TX from August 13, 2001 thru May 30, 2002. On April 1, 2004 Patricia was promoted to the distinguished rank of Sergeant Major. This promotion placed her in North Carolina Army National Guard history as the “first female Sergeant Major in the NCARNG”. On October 15, 2006 Patricia was laterally appointed as a Command Sergeant Major.

Survivors in addition to her mother are, brothers Roy Griffin and wife Patricia of Williamston and Thomas R Griffin of Memphis Tennessee, niece Ashley Griffin of Durham, and nephew Clay Griffin and wife Kristy of Greenville.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6:30-8:30 PM at Biggs Funeral Home and other times at 111 Williams Street.

Memorials may be made to Martin County AMVETS, First Christian Church or Martin County Relay for Life in her memory.