Robert Taylor Griffin of Newark, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the age of 70. He was born on August 29, 1954, in Newport, the son of Frank and Lavada (Crawford) Griffin.
Mr. Griffin graduated from Newark High School. After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Lyon College in Batesville. On May 2, 1975, he married the love of his life, Miss Gayla Nauman. Together, they enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, working side by side to build a life and raise their daughter, Natalie.
Mr. Griffin was a row crop farmer and cattle producer for many years, and he owned and operated Griffin Seed and Grain Company. He devoted countless hours to coaching children in peewee basketball, summer softball, and high school softball. His commitment to improving education was evident during his three terms of service on the Newark/Cedar Ridge School Board.
Driven by his desire to serve Independence County, Mr. Griffin ran for the position of Independence County Judge. He was elected to five consecutive terms and served the county for a total of twelve years. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to the county’s growth and prosperity.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing Texas Hold’em, hunting, and playfully irritating those he cared about and loved. He especially loved his family and cherished the time they spent together.
Mr. Griffin was a devoted and active member of the Newark First Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Frankie Griffin, and his parents.
Mr. Griffin is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gayla (Nauman) Griffin of the home; one daughter, Natalie Allison Davenport and husband, Cale of Roland, Arkansas; one grandson, Townes Davenport of Roland; one sister, Anne Moore and husband, Jack of Newark; his mother-in-law, Billie (Wyatt) Miller and husband, Stanley of Newark; brother-in-law, Fred Nauman and wife, Debbie of Horseshoe Bend; sister-in-law, Sarah Luther and husband, Rodney of Mountain View; his nieces and nephews, Angele Sinele, Frankie M. Griffin, Bradley Griffin, Rodney Griffin, David Moore, Joel Moore, Jon Moore; many great-nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Funeral services are at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Maple Springs Baptist Church, with Bro. Bill Goodwin officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Springs Cemetery in Newark. Visitation will be on Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to service time at Maple Springs Baptist Church.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are David Moore, Joel Moore, Rodney Griffin, Brad Griffin, Frankie Griffin, Cale Davenport, Tyler Batson, and Shawn Sinele. Employees of the Independence County Road Department will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
The family extends special thanks to Dr. Eugene Kwon and the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for their compassionate care.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741, or online at donate.cancer.org.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newark Funeral Home.
Robert Taylor Griffin
A Blessed Life
Blessed to be born to a God-fearing farm family, parents Frank T. and Lavada Griffin.
Blessed to have supportive siblings, Anne and Frankie Ray.
Blessed to accept Christ’s invitation for salvation as a mid-teen.
Blessed to have learned a deeper understanding of the Scriptures from teachers of the Word, especially Brother Bill Goodwin.
Blessed to have married the number one trophy wife, Gayla.
Blessed that my wife of over 50 years, Gayla, has been beside me for every medical visit, procedure, and treatment- even when I said she didn’t have to. She has become my caretaker. She exceeded the number one trophy status.
Blessed to have the number one trophy daughter, Natalie.
Blessed to have the number one trophy grandson, Townes.
Blessed to have outstanding in-laws.
Blessed to have top-notch nephews and nieces, grand nephews and nieces,
and great-grands.
Blessed to have the best cousins.
Blessed to have enduring friendships, some lifelong.
Blessed to have survived 30+ years in business.
Blessed to have had the best employees to keep it going.
Blessed to have had the best customers.
Blessed to have done play-by-play with George Green for the school TV station for the State Championship run by the Lady Kangaroos.
Blessed to have coached peewee basketball for 20 years.
Blessed to have coached summer softball for several years.
Blessed to have coached first base for the high school softball team for several years.
Blessed to have a state championship ring earned by those girls.
Blessed to have so many great kids to coach over those years.
Blessed to be elected to the school board 3 times, the last as Cedar Ridge.
Blessed to have been elected to 5 terms as Independence County Judge.
Blessed to have had the best employees in the state under me.
Blessed to have sat on the bench and ruled in the county court on the incorporation hearing on the City of Southside.
Blessed to work with our QC and other elected officials to create a sustainable budget.
Blessed to work with our QC to create the first County flag, seal and 200th birthday coin.
Blessed to see projects from my administration’s pipeline coming to fruition two and a half years later.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this prest tie are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18, King James Version (KJV)
