Olin Thompson Mefford, Jr. (OT), 98, of Florence died peacefully at home on September 18, 2023.
O.T. ‘s funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, September 23 rd , 11:00 am, Trinity Episcopal Church, Florence, by the Rev. Jake Andrews. The burial will be in Florence Cemetery at 1:00 pm, Elkins Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Mefford was a long time member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. He is survived by his second wife Ferrel Rush Mefford, sons Olin Mefford, (Donna), Russell Mefford (Allison) both of Florence, daughter Nancy Coffman (Steve) of Asheville, North Carolina. Grandsons Thompson Mefford (Julie), Mefford Williams (Liza), Philly Williams (Ashley), Christopher Mefford, and Armstrong Mefford, granddaughters Maggy Carmack (Nolan) and Julia Lin (Chris). He is also survived by great grandsons Ford Williams, Teddy Carmack, Odie
Williams, great granddaughters Polly Williams, Olivia Mefford, Keeton Carmack, Catherine Lin, and Emma Lin. He is also survived by stepdaughter Beverly Eskridge (Kim) step grandchildren Lindsey Pak (Paul) and Rush Eskridge and step great grandchildren Hannah and Caleb Pak.
He is preceded in death by his first wife Polly Armstrong Mefford, parents Pete and Julia Mefford, and brother Cread Mefford.
Born in Florence, Alabama, September 22, 1924, OT graduated from Coffee High School, then he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was trained to be a pilot of four engine bombers (B-17 and B-29). After the war, he returned home and with his parents, opened Mefford’s Jewelers in 1945 in downtown Florence. In 1948 he married Polly Armstrong and together they started their family. They were
members of Trinity Episcopal Church, then founding members of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, and were on the board of the Salvation Army. He served as a Boy Scout Leader for many years, was a member of the Kiwanis Club, and the Florence Housing Authority. As president of Downtown Florence Unlimited, OT promoted street scaping and landscaping. In 1982, as president of Mefford’s Jewelers, he was at the forefront and a pioneer in the restoration of downtown Florence. In 1985 he received the Heritage Award for restoring the
102 North Court street building to its original architectural design.
Pallbearers will be OT’s grandsons and grandsons-in-law Thompson Mefford, Mefford Williams, Philly Williams, Christopher Mefford, Nolan Carmack, and Chris Lin. Honorary pallbearer Armstrong Mefford.
The family thanks Jennifer Lowery, Monica Coleman, and Laquadra Russell for the extraordinary and loving care provided to OT in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the Arbor Day Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
