Jean Smith Birch

        Jean Smith Birch, 95, of Florence, SC, died at Bethea Baptist Retirement Community on Friday, February 6, 2026. Born on October 19, 1930, the Louisville, Kentucky native was the daughter of the late Charles D. and Margaret Lanham Smith.

        Jean received her B.A. at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, where she was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority.  At Georgetown, she met and married a Pi Kappa Alpha, the late Lloyd Birch.  Married in 1950, they had three children; Becky, Bill, and Lindy.

        Jean and Lloyd moved around Kentucky as he pastored churches in Harrodsburg, Covington, Ashland, and Lexington. In 1971, Lloyd received his Ph.D. from University of Kentucky. Jean often joked it should bear her name because she knew all of the information on the cue cards she made to quiz him for his doctoral thesis.  This started a lifelong trend of her supporting the pursuits of her family members in any way she could.

        The young couple moved to the Palmetto State in 1971 so Lloyd could begin a 27-year career on the faculty of Francis Marion University, then Francis Marion College.  A Baptist minister, Lloyd served as an interim pastor at over 45 churches. Jean seldom missed a Sunday at church, no matter the location. She was a gifted pianist and organist and often filled in, even at a moment’s notice, when needed to play. She was frequently a substitute teacher at the Reaching Exceptionally Able Children (REACH) program and she was the squeaky wheel on the Parent Board of the Pee Dee Center for Disabilities and Special Needs, tirelessly advocating for individuals like their son, Bill, who was a resident there for many years.

        For over two decades, Jean and Lloyd lived on Hillrise Farm that they built in Effingham, SC.  Active in the equestrian community, they were members of The Camden Hunt.  Jean enjoyed her dear friends in the Florence Literary Club for many years. She delighted in watching her grandsons become adults, raise families, sing, and dance;  and, in seeing her granddaughter mature into a devoted equestrian.

        Jean is survived by her daughters Rebecca (Jack) Birch Elliott of North Myrtle Beach, SC; and Lindy (Andrew) Birch Kelly of Charleston, SC; grandchildren Jeremiah (Erin) Elliott, Prentice (Emily) Elliott, Alexander (Laura) Elliott, Rhodes (Elise) Elliott and Florence Birch Kelly; great-grandchildren Maya Elliott, Ollie Elliott, Adeline Elliott, Avery Elliott, Grace Elliott, Abner Elliott, Oona Elliott, Annie Elliott, Henry Elliott and Jack Elliott. She also leaves a large contingent of loving nephews around the country including Bob (Peggy) Wilson of Florence, SC.   She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Lloyd, and their son, William “Bill” Birch; and her many brothers and sisters, the last being her beloved youngest sister Carolyn Florence of Louisville, KY.

        Jean will be interred at Mount Hope Cemetery, alongside Lloyd, in a private, family service.  The family will visit with friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Waters Powell Funeral Home on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

        In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. William Lloyd Birch Scholarship at Francis Marion University. (To: FMU Foundation, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502 or on-line at https://connect.fmarion.edu/designated-and-memorial-gifts and please denote to Dr. William Lloyd Birch Scholarship).

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