Gwendolyn Jeffcoat

Gwendolyn (Shell) Jeffcoat was the youngest of 18 children born to the late Minnie (Pelzer) Shell and Mack Donald Richardson. Known as Gwen to family, friends, and colleagues, and known as GiGi to her grandchildren, Gwendolyn was loving, kind, and utterly selfless. She left this earthly realm to live in eternal peace with God on April 17, 2023. Gwen was born on May 27, 1965, in Columbia, South Carolina. She spent many of her younger years in the care of her big sister, Marie Harmon. As a child, she loved being outside, doing things like climbing trees and playing in nature. This love never left her, as she always had a deep connection with the outdoors. She attended Eau Claire High School in Columbia and graduated in 1983. Over time, Gwen grew an affinity for fixing and making things, as she developed interests in fields such as woodworking and electrical work. This love also persisted into her later years, as she upcycled furniture and took on one DIY project after the next. Just two days after her 20th birthday, Gwen gave birth to her eldest daughter, Kenyetta Thompson. Her youngest daughter, Yves Jeffcoat, was born in 1993. Three years later, Gwen moved to College Park, Georgia. She was devoted to her family and worked hard to make sure that her children were happy and safe. She nurtured their interests and was invested in their education and recreation. When she was just 35 years old, Gwen was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. Even though she was ill and her children were young, she continued to take care of her household. Gwen began attending Clayton State University and graduated with her degree in integrative studies/general business in 2006. She began working at the Georgia Department of Labor in 2002, and by the time of her passing, she had accrued 21 years of service at the agency. Cancer claimed her body, but it never shook her spirit. Left to carry on her legacy are: two daughters, Kenyetta and Yves of Atlanta, Georgia; one son-in-law, Darrell Lane of Atlanta, Georgia; and two grandchildren, Akirra Thompson and Amirra Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia. She is survived by ten siblings: Gloria Mitchell of Hawthorne, CA; Cynthia McNeil of Nashville, TN; Mattie L. Render of Columbia, SC; Bessie White of Augusta, GA; Melinda Shell of Newport News, VA; Josephine Boyles of Columbia, SC; Deborah (Tyrone) Reese of Pensacola, FL; Juanita Richardson Davoll of Glendale, AZ; LeConte Richardson Middleton of Columbia, SC; and Paul Anthony Etheridge of West Columbia, SC. Crasharnia Harmon of Charlotte, NC, was like a little sister to Gwen, and Theresa Hopkins of Columbia, SC, was Gwen’s longtime best friend. There are many other people who were touched by her presence in this world. Gwen was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister. She was a kind and thoughtful friend. And she was a strong and beautiful light to anyone who crossed her path. We will all miss her deeply, and we will never let her go.

Tributes

Gwendolyn Jeffcoat

May 27, 1965 - April 17, 2023