DATELINE: Lake View, S.C.

Florinette Ford Renfrow

Florinette Ford Renfrow of Gaddy’s Mill passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at her home with her family by her side.

A celebration of her life will be held at Dillon First Baptist Church on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 4 pm with a graveside to follow at Ayres Family Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 2:45-3:45 pm.

Florinette was born to the late William Jesse and Isla Frances Ford of Lake View, SC, on October 13, 1937. She married James H. Renfrow, Sr., on February 8, 1953. They have lived in Dillon County for nearly 70 years. She is survived by her husband and eleven children: Frankie Powell (Lindsey), Jamie Renfrow (Carla), Steve Renfrow (Jill), William Renfrow (Lisa), Lisa Dowbak, Tim Renfrow (Suzanne), Beth Miller (Mike), Claire Darnell (Keith), Sam Evans (Allen), Ben Renfrow (Jocelyn), and Kyle Renfrow (Jackie). She is also survived by 48 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 3 siblings: Bill Ford (Mary Sue), Isla Graham (Art), and Becky Duke (Jesse). She was predeceased by her parents and her brother Eddie Ford.

Florinette attended Lake View High School and Francis Marion College. Her professional career included operating a kindergarten in her home, working as a teacher’s aide, establishing her own baby clothes business, and serving as a librarian in Dillon and Marion County libraries. She was the Branch Librarian at Lake View Library for over 30 years.

Florinette left a profound legacy of faith and devotion to her family and community. As a member of Dillon First Baptist Church, she served as WMU director and Sunday School teacher and worked in the crisis clothing ministry. In addition to various other ministries, she was a member of the Dillon County Gideons Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Camp Pinehill Board of Trustees. It was her great joy to serve in both local and international missions, including mission trips to Guatemala and Africa. Florinette was honored as South Carolina Mother of the Year in 2002 and Volunteer of the Year for both South Carolina and Dillon County.

Florinette’s greatest desire and purpose in life was for all of her family to know and follow Jesus Christ. Her life’s mission was to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth as stated in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

The family would like to extend a special note of gratitude to the skilled and loving caretakers who assisted during Florinette’s illness: De’Brittany Manning, Angela Harpes, and Bobbie Lee.

Memorials may be made to the Dillon Camp of Gideons, P.O. Box 111, Dillon, SC 29536.