Interviewer

Jennifer Leigh Disney

Files

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Streaming Media

Description

Interview with Florinette Ford Renfrow, 2002 South Carolina Mother of the Year.

Digital Collection

South Carolina Mother of the Year Oral History Archives

Contributing Institution

Winthrop University

Biographical Note

Florinette was born October 13, 1937 in Lake View, South Carolina. She attended Lake View schools, but the responsibilities of an early marriage caused her to delay her education. Florinette married James Henry Renfrow in 1953, and the couple raised a family of 11 children. In 1969, 17 years after leaving school, Florinette attended night classes and graduated from Lake View High School. She then went to Frances Marion College. Florinette's faith in Christ was very strong and never wavered through the sometimes hard years of raising her large family. Her commitment to her faith and church resulted in many years of service and untold lives touched. She served in leadership roles for church missions, taught Sunday School, established a clothing ministry, volunteered with Crisis Ministry of First Baptist Church in Dillon, and served on the Board of Trustees for Camp Pinehill. Her professional career included operating a kindergarten in her home, working as a teacher's aid, and serving as Branch Manager of the Lake View Library. Despite being fully committed to raising 11 children and being a devoted wife, Florinette gave herself unselfishly to many community activities. Her volunteer efforts were awarded when she was named Dillon County Volunteer of the Year and South Carolina Volunteer of the Year. Florinette encouraged her children to love and support each other as they should love and support the church. This value instilled a close bond among the 11 children as they left home to further their education and start families. This bond was responsible for turning the Renfrow home into a welcomed retreat for dozens of family members and friends every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Florinette's philosophy of parenting, based on Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you,'' proved successful in rearing godly children and responsible, respected citizens.

Publication Date

7-14-2015

Format

mp4

Rights

Copyright status undetermined. For more information, contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733

Document Type

Sound

LC Subject Headings

Renfrow, Florinette Ford--Interviews; Mothers--South Carolina; Mothers--Awards--South Carolina; Awards--South Carolina; South Carolina Mothers Association

Disciplines

Oral History | United States History | Women's History

Interview with Florinette Ford Renfrow

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