Freed-Hardeman Connections
Researching the Restoration Movement in Mississippi and West Tennessee
Henry D. Jeffcoat -- 1884-1951
Father of William “Bill” Jeffcoat
Gospel Advocate, May 24, 1951, p. 333-34.
H. D. Jeffcoat Passes
H. D. Jeffcoat, a faithful preacher of the gospel for many years, passed away at his home at Fulton, Miss., about 11 P.M., April 29, 1951, after a period of about eight months' illness. He had thousands of friends and loved ones who will regret to learn of his passing. In keeping with his request I conducted the funeral service for him at 2 P.M., May 1, 1951, in the church building in Fulton, Miss., where he had lived and preached for the past several years. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery in Fulton to await the resurrection at the last day. Those who knew him best rejoice in the blessed hope that he will be numbered with the saints of God in all eternity. Certainly the world has been made some better by his having lived in it and by the many sacrifices he has made for the cause that was nearest and dearest to him and his loving companion for these many years. Brother Jeffcoat has done
more perhaps for the writer than any man ever to live upon the earth and if it is the Lord's will I hope to write more concerning him in a few days. Our deepest love and sympathy go out to Sister Jeffcoat and their adopted son, Billy, and our most sincere prayers go up to Almighty God in their behalf.
-C. W. BRANNAM.
H. D. JEFFCOAT
H. D. Jeffcoat was one of God's great men. He was not a wealthy man, nor was he classed among the educated preachers of his day, nevertheless he accomplished a work that few men will ever attain in God's kingdom. He did not obey the gospel until well advanced in years. His people were Primitive Baptists and I have heard it said that his parents would as soon that he be out running rabbits on Sunday as attending Sunday school. They believed that God would let him know in some way some time, whether or not he was among the elect.
When I first knew Brother Jeffcoat he lived on a little farm near Ackerman, Miss. In the community lived a few Christians who worshiped in a one-room schoolhouse. It was in this school ... house and through the help and influence of Brother Jeffcoat that I held my first meeting. From that day we worked together closely in the mission fields of Mississippi until both of us moved to other states. I was young, inexperienced and a beginner as a preacher. Brother Jeffcoat knew the field, arranged the meetings for me to hold and then came along himself to lead the singing. I shall always feel deeply indebted to him.
But Brother Jeffcoat did much preaching also in Mississippi. His little farm claimed some of his time, but he often left it in the hands of his faithful wife and went out to preach in communities where people had never heard the gospel free from sectarian error. Like Nancy Smith, wife of "Racoon"
John Smith, Sister Jeffcoat was deeply interested in her husband's preaching and in the few small churches in Mississippi in those days. She worked diligently and long hours looking after the farm while her husband was away in meetings. His remuneration for his preaching was very small. Sometimes he received hardly enough to pay the expenses of going and coming to the meeting. Sometimes he received nothing. But I never knew him
to refuse to go when a call came, if it was at all possible for him to answer it. In later years he spent some time in Oklahoma and Texas but returned to Mississippi and spent the last years of his life.
He may not have been classed as a great sight he was one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. God give us more preachers like H. D. Jeffcoat.
-J. Roy VAUGHAN.
City Cemetery, Fulton, Miss. GPS - N 34* 16.466' W 088* 24.045'
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 34.27310, Longitude: -88.40110
Father of William “Bill” Jeffcoat
Gospel Advocate, May 24, 1951, p. 333-34.
H. D. Jeffcoat Passes
H. D. Jeffcoat, a faithful preacher of the gospel for many years, passed away at his home at Fulton, Miss., about 11 P.M., April 29, 1951, after a period of about eight months' illness. He had thousands of friends and loved ones who will regret to learn of his passing. In keeping with his request I conducted the funeral service for him at 2 P.M., May 1, 1951, in the church building in Fulton, Miss., where he had lived and preached for the past several years. His body was laid to rest in the cemetery in Fulton to await the resurrection at the last day. Those who knew him best rejoice in the blessed hope that he will be numbered with the saints of God in all eternity. Certainly the world has been made some better by his having lived in it and by the many sacrifices he has made for the cause that was nearest and dearest to him and his loving companion for these many years. Brother Jeffcoat has done
more perhaps for the writer than any man ever to live upon the earth and if it is the Lord's will I hope to write more concerning him in a few days. Our deepest love and sympathy go out to Sister Jeffcoat and their adopted son, Billy, and our most sincere prayers go up to Almighty God in their behalf.
-C. W. BRANNAM.
H. D. JEFFCOAT
H. D. Jeffcoat was one of God's great men. He was not a wealthy man, nor was he classed among the educated preachers of his day, nevertheless he accomplished a work that few men will ever attain in God's kingdom. He did not obey the gospel until well advanced in years. His people were Primitive Baptists and I have heard it said that his parents would as soon that he be out running rabbits on Sunday as attending Sunday school. They believed that God would let him know in some way some time, whether or not he was among the elect.
When I first knew Brother Jeffcoat he lived on a little farm near Ackerman, Miss. In the community lived a few Christians who worshiped in a one-room schoolhouse. It was in this school ... house and through the help and influence of Brother Jeffcoat that I held my first meeting. From that day we worked together closely in the mission fields of Mississippi until both of us moved to other states. I was young, inexperienced and a beginner as a preacher. Brother Jeffcoat knew the field, arranged the meetings for me to hold and then came along himself to lead the singing. I shall always feel deeply indebted to him.
But Brother Jeffcoat did much preaching also in Mississippi. His little farm claimed some of his time, but he often left it in the hands of his faithful wife and went out to preach in communities where people had never heard the gospel free from sectarian error. Like Nancy Smith, wife of "Racoon"
John Smith, Sister Jeffcoat was deeply interested in her husband's preaching and in the few small churches in Mississippi in those days. She worked diligently and long hours looking after the farm while her husband was away in meetings. His remuneration for his preaching was very small. Sometimes he received hardly enough to pay the expenses of going and coming to the meeting. Sometimes he received nothing. But I never knew him
to refuse to go when a call came, if it was at all possible for him to answer it. In later years he spent some time in Oklahoma and Texas but returned to Mississippi and spent the last years of his life.
He may not have been classed as a great sight he was one of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. God give us more preachers like H. D. Jeffcoat.
-J. Roy VAUGHAN.
City Cemetery, Fulton, Miss. GPS - N 34* 16.466' W 088* 24.045'
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 34.27310, Longitude: -88.40110