Sad news from Mayberry. Actor Andy Griffith, best known for his portrayal of the good-hearted country sheriff on The Andy Griffith Show, passed away Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. at his home in Manteo, N.C. He was a longtime resident of the state; Griffith was born in Mount Airy, which was the template for the small town of Mayberry, the setting of the show that made him famous. Griffith later starred in Matlock and had numerous guest appearances on TV shows like Dawson's Creek. He even was an accomplished gospel singer, nabbing a Grammy for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album in 1997 for I Love to Tell the Story - 25 Timeless Hymns. Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush in 2005. His friend and costar, Ron Howard, Tweeted, "His pursuit of excellence and the joy he took in creating served generations & shaped my life I'm forever grateful RIP Andy." He was married three times and had three children; his son died in 1996. He is survived by his third wife, Cindi Knight, and two daughters. Griffith was 86.

TMZ reports that Griffith was buried just a few hours after he died on his Roanoke Island farm. A rep for Twiford Funeral Home in Manteo gave TMZ the scoop. Griffith reportedly requested to be buried immediately after he died, and the burial occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. after a small service consisting of friends and family members.