Deavours "Jeff" Jefcoat

Deavours H. “Jeff” Jefcoat died at his home in Little Mountain, SC the morning of April 11, 2020. Born March 13, 1929 at Soso, MS he was the first born of the late Bura and Lola Williams Jefcoat. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Cora Jean Merritt Jefcoat, and his youngest son, Sam Jefcoat [Pamela] of Aiken, SC. He is survived by daughter Pam Jefcoat Holt [Tony Beatty] of Hickory, NC; and sons Mike Jefcoat [Joan Beck] of Gardendale, AL, and Doug Jefcoat [Jeanne] of Columbus, GA.

Jeff was very proud of his menagerie of grandchildren and great grandchildren; from Pam’s family - Amanda Holt Corey [George] and daughter Merritt of Westport, CT and Kathryn Holt of Kansas City, MO; from Mike’s family – Anna Jefcoat Summerlin [John] and son Will and daughter Ellie of Decatur, GA and the late Matt Beck of Gardendale, AL; from Doug’s family - Tyler Jefcoat [Emily] and daughters Maggie and Bonnie of Watkinsville, GA; Stewart Jefcoat [DeAnn] and daughters Cora Leigh, Ava Jane, Georgia Anne and son Jacob of Watkinsville, GA; Jenna Hackaday Lowery [Dan] and daughters Kate and Abby and son Eli of Columbus, GA; Sarah Hackaday Varner [Jeff] of Roswell, GA; and Shelby Jefcoat Dunn [Sean] of Portland, OR. He is survived by brothers Donis Jefcoat [Ernestine] of Soso, MS and George Jefcoat [Francine] of Benton, MS. He was predeceased by a brother, Harley Jefcoat, and sister, Nell Yelverton, both of MS.

Jeff enjoyed a 40-year career with Sears from 1947 to 1987, the last 14 years of which were spent in Columbia, SC. He managed the Five Points Harden St. “Sears Town” store 1974-1977 and Columbia Place store 1977-1987. He was an Army veteran having served during the Korean War.

In retirement Jeff and Jean enjoyed motor home traveling in all 48 of the continental United States plus parts of Canada and Mexico. He served seven years as an officer of Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) headquartered in Cincinnati, OH and retired as FMCA President in 2003.

He enjoyed serving and being involved with civic and community activities. He was Past President of Columbia Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also Past President of the Little Mountain Ruritan Club and active in Newberry County Governmental Committees having served on Planning and Zoning, Transportation, and Recreation Committees. He served on the Little Mountain Town Council for 8 years.

Jeff was Chairman of the Board of Senior Catering Corp which prepares and delivers meals for many seniors and the disadvantaged across the state of South Carolina. The company is headquartered in Little Mountain and operates kitchens in Newberry, Orangeburg, St. Stephen and Bennettsville. He and Jean also enjoyed personally delivering meals on wheels to residents in the community who were unable to visit the Little Mountain Senior Center. He taught AARP Safe Driver Courses geared toward persons age 50 and up.

Jeff served on the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Council and co-chaired the Facility Expansion Fundraising Committee for several years. He had a servant’s heart and practiced true servant leadership.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, PO Box 186, Little Mountain, SC 29075. A memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safe to travel and gather to celebrate his amazing 91-year life.

The family wishes to thank Prisma Hospice, the Dorn VA Medical Center and At Home Senior Care for their loving support.