Tributes

Willard Laverne Jacobs, 79, of Lydia, SC died at home on September 5, 2011. Willard was born in Chesterfield, SC to Mary Dell Graves Jacobs and John Brunson Jacobs, Sr. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy Belk Askins Jacobs of the home, his sister Sylvia Jacobs James (Edward) of Darlington, SC, his brother John Jacobs( Beverly) of Spanaway, WA and his brother Charles Jacobs of Monroe, NC. Also surviving are his niece Debbie Suggs (Glenn) and their sons Josh and Tyler and nephew Ricky James (Cheree’) and their sons Ryan and Mark of Darlington, SC, his niece Stephanie (Carl) Cooper and their daughters Carla and Lindsey of McClellanville, NC, step-children Becky Askins-Weaver (Jeff), and Kirk Askins (Meredith) of Hartsville, SC and Dan Askins, III (Susan) of Pinehurst, NC and six step-grandchildren, Alexis, Mac, Elizabeth, Katherine, Laney and Andrew. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Betty and his first wife, Shirley McQueen Jacobs. Brown Pennington Atkins is assisting the family with the services. A private graveside service will be held at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lydia, SC at 11am on September 8. A memorial service will be held at 2pm at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hartsville, SC with a visitation following in the All Saints Hall. Friends and family may call at the home from 5-7pm on Wednesday, September 7. Willard became an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Hartsville, SC when he married his wife Judy and served on several committees and was chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. Before his first wife’s death, he was a long-time member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Lydia, SC. Willard retired from Sonoco Products Company in 1991 after 41 years service beginning his career in the Carpentry Shop and ending as an Industrial Engineer. His first love, however, was art. In 1969, while at Sonoco, he was asked by the company to organize an arts program for the Hartsville community. His program earned instant acclaim as the 1969 Esquire Business in Arts Award winner. Willard was a sculptor of both metal and clay as well as a painter, photographer and set builder. He volunteered for many years with the Florence Little Theater and the Hartsville Community Players and served as the Director of the Hartsville Community Arts Program until it became Black Creek Arts in 1985. Willard has many works of art in private collections but was most proud of his commissioned piece for the Florence City-County Complex. The 2/3 scale metal sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the Bi-Centennial in 1976 and is composed of seven figures, each representing a different era of American history. Recently, Willard was honored by the naming of the Willard Jacobs Pottery Studio at Black Creek Arts and the Willard Jacobs Award for Volunteerism named in honor of his decades of service. Willard was known for his work in a variety of media including Raku, hand-built and thrown pottery, clay sculptures, metal sculptures, water color and oil paintings, wood block and pen and ink drawings. He also directed plays and built sets, first for Florence Little Theater and Hartsville Community Players and more recently for Wesley United Methodist Church. Willard, an avid golfer, belonged to the Hartsville Country Club where he was on the Board and served a term as chairman. During his recent years he earned his certificate from the Clemson Extension Service in Master Gardening and loved trying all he learned in his own gardens. Willard was educated in the Hartsville Schools and graduated from Hartsville High School in 1950. He attended USC at Florence, Coker College and the Penland School of Arts. His High School graduating Class of 1950 will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church at 145 E. College Ave., Coker College, Black Creek Arts, Kalmia Gardens or the charity of one’s choice. Willard “Stretch” was a big man with a big heart and will be missed by his family, his friends, the community and the art world.

Tributes

Mr. Willard Laverne Jacobs

October 23, 1931 - September 5, 2011