Robert Lenton Griffith

Robert “Bob” Lenton Griffith, age 77, of Atlanta, GA, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.

He was born November 5, 1943 in Jackson, MS to Lenton Beal and Dorothy Roberts Griffith. A native of Jackson, MS, Bob attended Central High School, received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano from the University of Southern MS and obtained a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from Indiana University. He was a Professor of Music in the areas of piano instruction and instrumental conducting, and an opera coach for thirty years at the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State University). Also, while in Memphis, Bob conducted critically acclaimed opera productions for the Memphis Opera Theater and led the student orchestra at the University. Upon his retirement from U of M, he was an accompanist and Director of Music at the First Unitarian Church of Memphis - The Church of the River. From 2002-2016 he served as Director of Music at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved son Michael Lee Griffith. Bob is survived by his loving daughter, Kelly Kay Griffith, Brooklyn, NY; sisters, Harriet Griffith Bennington, Jackson, MS and Nancy Griffith Ganucheau, Missouri City, TX; six nieces and nephews, and a multitude of great nieces and nephews, all of whom he adored.