Samuel Marvin Griffin, born in Bainbridge on September 4, 1907, and died there on June 13, 1982, was a statesman, editor and publisher, citizen, and soldier. He served as Decatur County representative in 1935-36, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia in 1948-54, and Governor of Georgia in 1955-59. He was publisher of The Post-Searchlight from 1933-72 and Publisher Emeritus from 1972. In civic and community life, he was president of the Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Lions Club and VFW Post 4904, a member of American Legion Post 62, a Mason and Shriner, a deacon of First Presbyterian Church, and general chairman of the Decatur County Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1973. As a soldier, he graduated from the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, Class of 1929, served as Captain, Battery D, 101 Bn. AA (AW), G.N.G., in 1941, as Lieutenant Colonel and commander of the 101 Bn., A.U.S., in 1943, fought in the Papuan, New Guinea, and Netherlands East Indies campaigns, served with USAFFE in 1942-43-44, and was Adjutant General of Georgia in 1944-47.