Obituary of Jeffery Mell

Jeffery “Jeff” Mell, 80, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away on July 13, 2023. She was born on November 13, 1942, in Savannah, Georgia to Jacob and Judith Green. Jeff was a beloved daughter, mother, sister, and friend who will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Megan Mell; her brother, Steve Green (Barbara Lynn Green); and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Judith Green, and her son, Michael Mell.

Jeff attended Moore Avenue Elementary School in Savannah and graduated from Savannah High School in 1960. She continued her education at Armstrong Junior College and in 1983 obtained a BBA/Accounting Degree from the University of South Carolina. After retirement, she continued to pursue her studies at Midlands Tech College in Columbia, South Carolina.

She was married on June 14, 1964. While the marriage ended in divorce in June 1983, she was blessed with two children,  who remained with her. 

Throughout her life, Jeff made many contributions in all her various endeavors. She started working, while married, at the Auburn University Extension Services in early 1965. From 1966 to 1983 she took a break from work to focus on starting a family and raising her two children. She was proud to see both, graduate from James H. Hammond Academy. Her daughter, Megan, went on to graduate with Honors from Furman University in 2000 and continued on to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2004.

In 1984, Jeff re-entered the workforce at King and Cobb Law Firm, taking a position in their accounting department. In 1985, she returned to her alma mater, the University of South Carolina, and accepted a position in the Medical Animal Resources Department. She continued there until her retirement in 2000. Her commitment was recognized with two State of Service Awards at her ten- and fifteen-year anniversaries.

During her retirement years, she enjoyed spending time with her children and her beloved cat, Callie. She moved from her longtime home just prior to the COVID Pandemic and took up residence at The Holiday Pine Woods Retirement Community. She also developed an appetite for international travel, joining travel groups organized by her dear friend, Eunice Sabo, Tour Director for Collette Vacations. Those travels took her to China, Paris, London, Thailand, Spain, Portugal, and Quebec. Her love of jewelry and shopping was well known. Often her first question upon arrival in a new country was “When do we start shopping?” 

Memorial services for Jeffery Mell will be held at a private internment on August 12, 2023, followed by an afternoonreception at Holiday Forest Pines Retirement Community. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Agape Hospice-Lexington, South Carolina, or The ASPCA (www.aspca.org). 

Jeff will be remembered for her dedication to her children, the love for her beloved Callie and shopping.  She leaves behindfond memories that will continue to remind her family and friends of her indomitable personality.