DR. HARVEY JEFFREYS, JR.

Dr. Harvey Eugene Jeffreys, Jr., Professor Emeritus at Lander University, died at his home in Greenwood, S.C. on September 3, 2013.

Dr. Jeffreys was born July 21, 1925 in Chase City, Virginia. He was the son of Harvey Eugene Jeffreys, Sr. and Edith Juliette Lacy Jeffreys. He was the grandson of Robert Meacham Jeffreys and Lelia Louise Burnette Jeffreys and Senator James Thomas Lacy and Ada Crews Lacy.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Agnes Young Wagstaff Jeffreys.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Scott “Scottie” Smith Bedinger Jeffreys, of the home; his daughter and son-in-law, Ann Edith Jrffreys Brewington and Brandon Charles Brewington of Clinton, S.C.; his son, Robert Harvey “Bob” Jeffreys of Mauldin, S.C.; his grandson, Charles Jeffreys “Chase” Brewington, and his granddaughter, Braden Anna Brewington, of Clinton, S.C.

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Lacy Burnette Jeffreys and Sandy Jeffreys of Columbia, Maryland; his sister-in-law, Karen Miskow Webb, of Joppa, Maryland; his nephews, Eric Lacy Jeffreys, of Rosedale, Maryland, and Niels Harvey Jeffreys, of Bangkok, Thailand.

In addition, he is survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William Hutchins “Hutch” Smith, III and Karen Rasher Smith, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Frank Cleveland Bedinger, III and Megan Bedinger of Atlanta, Georgia; Lucy Finch Bedinger Weicker and George E. Weicker, III of Arrington, Tennessee; his nephews and nieces, Ingram Sparks “Gram” Smith, William Walthall “Bill” Bedinger, John Ingram “Jack” Bedinger, Rob Murph, Callie Murphy Thomas, of Atlanta, Georgia; Woodrow George “Woody” Weicker and Elizabeth Audrey “Libby” Weicker of Arrington, Tennessee.

Dr. Jeffreys attended Hampden-Sydney College, Indiana University, and Florida State University. He held the B.S. degree in Biological Science, the M.S. degree in Psychology, and the Ph.D degree in Theatre from Florida State University.

Prior to coming to Lander College in 1971, Dr. Jeffreys taught in the schools of Halifax County, Virginia: for three years at Halifax County High School where he was Director of Guidance Services. He also taught in the schools of Mecklenburg County, Virginia: for one year at Chase City High School and for eleven years at Bluestone High School where he was Chairman of the Science Department and Director of Theatre. He was also active in the community and semi-professional theatre in Virginia and was the author of ten plays.

Dr. Jeffreys taught at Lander University for thirty-one years, He was Professor of Mass Communication and Theatre and served as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department for nine years.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood and served there in the Stephen Ministry Program.

He was also a member of the South Carolina Theatre Association, the Southeastern Theatre Conference, the dramatists Guild, the American Association of University Professors, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Sigma Chi Fraternity, and Alpha Psi Omega Fraternity.

A graveside services will be held on Friday, September 6, at 11:00 AM outside the Jeffreys Mausoleum in Woodland Cemetery in Chase City, Virginia with his cousins, The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Beckett and The Rev. Herndon P. Jeffreys, Jr. officiating. Following the service, the family will greet friends at the graveside.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 9, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, S.C. with The Rev. Larry C. Duncan officiating, assisted by Peggy Hammett. Following the service, the family will greet friends in the church lobby.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646, the Harvey E. Jeffreys Theatre Scholarship, Office of University Advancement, Lander University, Greenwood, SC 29649, or to the charity of one’s choice. 

Wood Funeral Service is in charge of local arrangements.