Jeanette Gantt Derrick

Jeanette Gantt Derrick, 93, formerly of West Columbia, passed peacefully at home in Batesburg on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Born in Leesville, SC, Jeanette was the daughter of the late James Langford Gantt and Flossie Elizabeth Gantt. She was married for 63 years to her late husband, Jesse Preston “J.P.” Derrick.

Jeanette dedicated her professional life to serving as a telephone operator and supervisor for Southern Bell Telephone Company, and as an Educational Assistant for Lexington School District Two. She was a graduate of Batesburg-Leesville High School, where she was active in the Glee Club and lettered in basketball. Jeanette was a long-time member of Holland Avenue Baptist Church, where she was very active. She enjoyed rocking and singing to all the little children in the nursery and singing in the choir. Most recently she was a member of East Side Baptist Church in Batesburg, where she was active in her Sunday School Class and the Pearls of Grace Women’s Ministry.

Jeanette's warmth, generosity, and unwavering compassion touched the lives of all who knew her. She is survived by her two children, Dale Williams (Jeff), Doug Derrick (Jane); and four grandchildren, Jessica Strickland (Mack), Crystal Edwards (Scott), Laura Parker (Brent), and Berkley Derrick. She is also survived by many great and great-great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, James Robert “Pete” Gantt.

The funeral service for Jeanette will be held at 3:30 P.M. on Saturday, July 26th, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home, with Pastor Mitch Bruner and Pastor Charles Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:30 P.M. at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Agape Hospice at Home Services for their dedicated care of our loved one.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, PO Box 2159, Leesville, SC 29070.