Bernita Ellice Griffin

Bernita Ellice Griffin, beloved daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and gospel music legend, made her heavenly choir debut on September 19, 2025, at the age of 64. She was born on May 3, 1961 at Memorial Hospital (now UNC Hospital) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to Mamie Lois and Leroy Griffin. A proud graduate of Chapel Hill High School, Bernita pursued her passion for music with formal training at The North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied opera music. Her voice - a rare and angelic first soprano - was classically trained but consecrated for the glory of GOD. She carried the power and precision of opera into the sacred space of gospel music, delivering performances that stirred the soul and honored the Lord.

Bernita lifted her voice and worship with countless church choirs and gospel groups throughout North Carolina, including The Family Gospel Singers, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, St. John's Holiness Church, Greater St. Paul, St. Joseph's CME Church, Faith Assembly Christian Center, Glory 2 Glory, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and Lighthouse of Deliverance. And last but certainly not least, her spiritual home, Deliverance Tabernacle Fellowship Church, where her musical and ministerial roots were planted and nourished.

Bernita was more than a singer, she was a vessel of worship, a powerful choir Director, and a mentor to many. Her ministry extended far beyond the microphone. Bernita was proud to contribute vocally to the award winning soundtrack of Greenleaf, the groundbreaking OWN Television series created by Oprah Winfrey. The soundtrack, featuring Gospel legends Pastor Shirley Caesar, and multiple honors, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album (2018), and the Stellar Award for Special Events CD of the year (2020).

Like many creative, Bernita was not just the vocalist. She was also a trailblazing entrepreneur, founding one of the first black-owned hat businesses in Durham, North Carolina. Through Bernita's Creations, she crafted elaborate, breathtaking church hats that became beloved staples across congregations. As her business grew, she expanded into providing upscale suits for men and women, always with an eye for elegance, dignity, and divine presentation.

Perhaps most remarkably, Bernita used her business as a ministry. She often provided free suits for grieving families during times of loss, ensuring that loved ones could be laid to rest with grace and honor. Her quiet generosity touched countless lives. Bernita was the recipient of numerous performance and appreciation awards, honoring her lifelong contributions to gospel music and the community. But no award could ever capture the full measure of her impact because her legacy lives in every life she inspired, every choir she led, every soul she comforted, and if you've had her food, every meal she lovingly prepared.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mamie Lois Griffin Farrar, her brother Barry Leroy Griffin, her niece Japonica Laverne Compton, and her nephew LaMonte Douglas Compton.

She leaves behind a loving family who will carry her memory forward: her devoted daughter, Elizabeth Hines; her cherished sisters, Bonnie Rogers and Brenda Swann; and her nieces and nephews, Mechi Holt, Toyia Compton, Shenette Swann, Lauren Griffin Satterfield, Dr. Bryce Griffin DPT, Blake Griffin, and Mike Baldwin Griffin. And a host of great nieces, great nephews, and extended family always to be honored, such as her beloved aunt Mary Lee of Washington DC, her precious cousins, Margaret and Betty Eubanks, and Mary Lois Eubanks.

Bernita Ellice Griffin will be remembered most for her anointed voice, her graceful leadership, her unshakable faith, and her beautiful spirit which she poured into her music, her ministry, her business endeavors, and her love for people. Let us celebrate her grand entrance into the gates of the most glorious choir stand she's ever graced. May we remember her each time we lift our own voices to the Lord and praise.