Sterling Jinks Usher Laffitte passed away February 13, 2015. A memorial service will be held graveside at Lawtonville Cemetery, Monday, February 16, 2105 at 2 p.m. Friends are invited to the home, 719 Palmetto Place, NE, Estill, after the service. Mr. Laffitte was born June 8, 1955, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Montague Laffitte. He attended Estill Public Schools and was a 1976 graduate of The Citadel, as well as a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.
He is survived by his wife, Lin; son, Usher; daughters, Sydney and MaryMadison; his parents, R. Montague “Monk” and Elizabeth “Lib” Usher Laffitte; brother, Dr. R.M. “Monty” Laffitte and his wife Carol Wienges Laffitte of Greenville, SC (and their children and grandchildren); sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Laffitte Malinowski and her husband Jan M. Malinowski (and their children); and multitudes of other family members. He was predeceased by his treasured grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Tucker Laffitte and Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Jinks Usher.
After graduation from The Citadel, and training with Bankers Trust in Columbia for four years, he returned to Estill and worked side by side with his beloved Pop. In 1987, he became president of The Exchange Bank. He was later named President of Palmetto State Bank upon its merger with The Exchange Bank, Carolina Commercial Bank, and Palmetto State Bank in 2007, continuing the Laffitte Banking legacy with his cousins across the South Carolina Lowcountry region.
On a broader scale, he served the South Carolina Bankers Association in many capacities through the years, including Chairman of the Young Bankers Division and Chairman of the South Carolina Bankers School. In 1995, he was selected Outstanding Young Banker of the Year (the highest award presented by the South Carolina Bankers Association). In 2008-09, he served as Chairman of the South Carolina Bankers Association.
He was a member of the American Bankers Association, where he served many terms on the Government Relations Council.
Always the champion for his beloved Hampton County, “Gawd’s Country,” he was dedicated and served beside many of his Estill friends on the Lawtonville Cemetery Association. He also served on the Hampton County Economic Development Board, the Hampton County Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Henry Academy’s Board of Directors, as well as President of the PHA Athletic Boosters.
For his entire life, Lawtonville Baptist Church was an integral part of the person he was. He lived his life by the golden rule, his favorite scripture: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He served Lawtonville faithfully through the years as a member of various committees and as a Deacon, and several terms as Chairman of the Board of Deacons.
Affectionately known by those closet to him as “Squirrel,” his legion of friends and family remember him for his many kindnesses, contagious spirit, and his love for them.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that memorial donations be made to the following: Hope Lodge, Charleston, SC; MUSC Foundation; or the Lawtonville Cemetery Association.
Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home will assist the family with arrangements.
For those who wish, online condolences may be left for the family by visiting our website at www.peeplesrhodenfuneralhome.com.
Posted in: The Greenville News
Posted on: 2015-02-16
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenvilleonline/obituary.aspx?n=sterling-jinks-usher-laffitte&pid=174161523&fhid=8980