Johnnie Scott Jeffords Jr.
Graveside services for Johnie Scott Jeffords Jr., were held on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Grove Hill Cemetery in Darlington at 10:30 a.m. directed by Belk Funeral Home. Scotty passed away on June 9 at the age of 82. Scotty lived in Darlington, SC and most recently was a resident of The Manor in Florence, SC.
Born on March 10, 1941 to parents Johnie Scott and Elodia Virginia Andrews Jeffords, he was raised on a farm in the Syracuse Community near Lamar, SC. He learned to drive the family tractor at the young age of 8 years old. As the only boy with three sisters, he was often considered the favorite and the stories of his mischievous childhood are legendary.
Scotty attended Lamar High School where he made life-long friends. Afterwards he graduated from the University of South Carolina. While in college he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order.
Scotty was predeceased by his devoted wife of almost 54 years, Roberta Carter Jeffords, in 2022. Together Scotty and Roberta created a beautiful home in Darlington and shared many happy occasions with their sons, grandchildren, extended family members and neighbors.
He was an avid USC fan and spent decades of football seasons at Williams-Brice Stadium with his family cheering on the Gamecocks, regardless of the weather. Fun memories were made traveling to attend many Bowl Games.
Scotty enjoyed people and had an uncanny ability to remember names and details of those he met. You were never a stranger once Scotty started a conversation with you.
After a long and successful career in agriculture chemical sales, he retired from American Cyanamid. This job required weekly travel and allowed him to be familiar with most farmers and farmland in the Carolinas. He formed strong friendships and appreciated the dedication and commitment of the farming community that he had witnessed since childhood and modeled by his parents.
Often the most spoiled person in the family was his dog. Many English Springer Spaniels have enjoyed their best life in Scotty’s backyard.
He was a life-long member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington, SC.
Mr. Jeffords is survived by his two sons, Jonathan Scott and wife Tara of Florence, SC and James Carter and wife Elizabeth of Columbia, SC. He was very proud of his sons and the families they created. He deeply loved his five grandchildren: Grayson Caroline, Lucas Carter, Jonathan Andrews (Drew), Elizabeth Bethea (Libby), and Katherine Scott (Kate) Jeffords and the time spent with them was always entertaining. He is also survived by his three caring sisters: Winifred Rabb and Kay Jeffords of Darlington and Janice Johnson Lewis of Florence and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Belk Funeral Home on Thursday, June 15th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 16, Darlington, South Carolina, 29540.
Everybody is invited to a lunching immediately following the graveside service in the fellowship hall of Trinity United Methodist Church.
