R.S. Jeffcoat was born in Pike County on October 3, 1886, the son of Harriet Caroline Campbell and James Henry Jeffcoat. In 1903, the family moved to Curtis, and it was there that he met Lena Grimes. They were married April 18, 1909. To this union were born a son, Cecil, and a daughter, Helen Jeffcoat Dee, both of whom reside in Opp.
When this family moved to Opp in 1909, Mr. Jeffcoat spent the next five years as bookkeeper for Henry King’s General Merchandise Establishment.
In 1914, Mr. Jeffcoat decided to go into business for himself. He became a dealer in produce and a cotton buyer. In 1921, he began a new business, the Texaco Gasoline Business. He was associated with Opp-Micolas Cotton Mills from the beginning, serving as Secretary-Treasurer, cotton buyer, and Executive Vice President. He was Director and Vice President, First National Bank of Opp. He was County Commissioner for 20 years, and was on the school board for 29 years, serving as Chairman for 12 years. He was the first President of the Board of Directors, Mizell Memorial Hospital, 1949, and remained a Director for several years. He served on the City Council. He was on the Board of Deacons at the First Baptist Church for over 50 years; in 1969 he was named Honorary life Chairman. He was Chairman of the Church Finance Committee for many years and President of the Men’s Bible Class for 20 years.
Mr. Jeffcoat was a Charter Member of the Opp Rotary Club. He was a Mason and a Shriner.
A friend described him (Acts 10): “’ He went about doing good’. Yet he did these things in a spirit of humility. This man is sincere, honest, and upright, one who loved God and his fellowmen, and he has been a great inspiration to the people of Opp.”
His death on November 7, 1976, ended a life useful and successful, but his achievements bolster our courage, advance our knowledge, and refresh the human spirit. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1978.
