James Marcus “Mark” Griner entered Heaven’s gates Friday, August 9, 2024, at the age of 78 from complications of diabetes.
Born in Blackshear April 2, 1946, he moved to Atlanta in 1965 at the age of 19, to begin work as a barber. He was a man of many gifts and talents. Over the span of 40 years, he owned and operated several barber shops in the Atlanta area. He was a successful entrepreneur, builder and real estate developer. He loved people and they loved him back. He was the embodiment of “love thy neighbor as thyself”.
Those who knew him best know that those are not his proudest achievements. The most important aspects of his life were his family members, beginning with his parents, John Marcus Griner and Marie Fish Griner, his brothers, sisters and continuing with his wife, daughter and grandchildren. After losing his daughter, Jennifer, to breast cancer in 2017, his attention focused on raising his grandchildren. They were his reason to face each day without her. He taught his grandchildren valuable life skills and shared his love of the lake with his favorite activities of boating and fishing. Affectionately, they called him “Hen”, a nickname inspired by the silly stories, jokes and songs he would always make up to entertain them.
His generosity, selflessness and love for others will live on through his grandchildren. He considered it his greatest accomplishment that his grandchildren still came home to visit as often as possible after they left for college. No human being ever loved his family more, and he would remind them all at least five times every day. During the tough times, he had the gift to take a bad situation and make it better and turn a good situation to great.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Judy; his grandchildren, Alex Wilson and Lauren Wilson; his sisters, Linda Day, Broxton and Kay Griner, Jacksonville, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives whom he held dear.
In the spring, a private celebration of his life will take place as his family members gather in remembrance.
While there will not be a book written about his life, you can be sure it would have been a best seller.
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