Jeffery Scott McAfee

Our family said our final goodbyes to our father, Jeffery Scott McAfee on August 7th, 2025, as we gathered around the hospital bed which replaced his favorite recliner, in a living room where he had laid the floors, built the walls and installed the windows. A place he would call home and raise his family and would ultimately take his last breath while wearing a hand-me-down Pendleton t-shirt he found comfiest. Dad was born in Mississippi to parents Dahlia Lambert and Willie Troy McAfee. The Mississippi boy would meet his Tennessee bride, Paula Jane Rowsey, and would become married on June 29th, 1984. Mom and dad, as I would call them, would go on to build a life together at Gravel Hill, building a few homes and having their 4 children, Derrick, Baylie, Logan and Landon. 

I think Dad was one of the hardest workers on Gravel Hill. Many Saturdays’ sleeping in were ruined by the sound of weed eaters and lawn mowers before the crickets had time for their morning coffee. He had a heart of gold and loved to talk to anyone willing to listen. He would literally give you the shirt off his back, although you would hesitate to take it as it would have been soaked with sweat.

He was a machinist by trade, working in his own shop early in his career and eventually taking a job in Corinth as a machinist and CNC programmer. Although machining was his day job, his kids kept him busy on the weekends as our dad could do anything and, unfortunately for him, his kids were very creative in testing those limits. 

Going camping at Piney Grove is a core memory for each of us kids and some of our fondest memories with our dad. Riding our bikes through the park, eating a huge breakfast around the pine picnic table with no limits to seconds or thirds, having endless s’mores by the campfire and having our beds made for us to climb into when our flashlight batteries would finally go out, were all parts of a great camping trip. Now that we’re all older, we understand who aired up our bike tires, packed them in the back of the truck, full of firewood and already hooked up to a stocked camper, who cooked all the eggs, bacon, sausage and biscuits, and made sure that fire was stoked and going for s’mores. He packed the batteries for the flashlights knowing the fun didn’t stop just because the sun went down. He loved his family more than anything and therefore, whistled while loading the bikes each trip.

Speaking of whistling, dad had the spirit of a songbird that sometimes in the heat of the day while raking leaves, us kids didn’t care to hear. Breaking out into the song “Oh happy day” was one of his classic hits that he would share with us morning,noon and night. Dad never met a recliner not fit for napping and although family movie nights were often ruined by the slumbering sounds of dad snoring “like a freight train” as mom would say, we would leave him be as he was “spending time with his family” as dad would say. 

Change was not something dad embraced often. Eating breakfast every morning and drinking his coffee out of his favorite stone mug with milk and a spoon of sugar were non negotiables. One change dad embraced is when he gained his Daughter-in-law, Cassie who married Logan and his son-in-law Clint who married Baylie. He loved them like his own children and were just as proud of their accomplishments in life as if they were his own. His grandkid’s Lucas, Hadley and Reid were the light of his life, giving them many passes that us children would have never gotten away with growing up. His Church, Ramer Baptist, was one of dad’s favorite place to be - and wanted to be more than anything when he got sick. Dad was a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. He taught the old men’s class (I know it wasn’t called that but sorry I can’t recall) andlearned so much wisdom from those men which he loved telling us kids about each Sunday over lunch. 

A father to a family is like a foundation to a home. It provides a base, keeping what’s important strong and grounded, and although we have lost our foundation, we have found our new strength from our faith, family and friends. We are forever indebted to those who have helped us during this time. Although I’m no longer able to talk or see my dad, I’m reminded of him in each of my siblings. Derrick has his knack to fix anything he touches. He can repair or create anything. He is as handy as a pocket on shirt. Baylie is the family’s caretaker and always thinks of others before herself. She stepped in when dad became sick and stayed many nights with our mom caring for our dad. Us boys can never repay her for the selflessness she has shown. Logan leads his family with the same Christ-like center of my dad. He’s just like dad as he is so kind to anyone he meets and can talk to a tree. I, Landon, got the greatest trait of all—my dad’s love for a Baptist potluck and sweet treat after supper.

Dad was proceeded in death by his mother, father and brother, Robert McAfee. Dad looked forward to weekends camping with his siblings Deborah Thacker and husband Danny, Leasa Weathers and husband Billy, his brother Daniel McAfee and several nieces and nephews. The stories and memories told around the campground’s lake were enjoyed by everyone, and laughter that could be heard from every campsite in a 5-mile radius was only muffled by the sound of the churning ice-cream maker.

Death is something that has never scared dad. Growing up he would always say “to die is to gain” and I know with unequivocal doubt that he has gained something more special than we can all comprehend. I know that he is chatting everyone’s ear off and probably bragging about his children as he so often did. We kept him here as long as we could, so we apologize to those in heaven and hope you weren’t too busy this weekend as he has a lot to tell you about. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and as the old hymn goes “What a day that will be when my Jesus and Daddy I shall see”.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Ramer Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Gravel Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Ramer Baptist Church.

Our family at Associated are very honored and grateful to have been chosen to serve the McAfee family. 

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