J.D. PLAYER
LYNCHBURG - John D. "J.D." Player, 77, husband of Juanita Matthews Player, died on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, at his home.
Born on Sept. 21, 1941, in Lee County, he was a son of the late James Guy Player Sr. and Louise Fincher Player. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, chairman of the deacons several times, song leader and choir member. He worked with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and National Auto Theft Bureau. He retired as a special agent for the National Insurance Crime Bureau after 30 years of service.
Survivors include his wife; two stepchildren, Benjamin "Ben" L. Keefe of North Myrtle Beach and Karen "Keefee" Keefe of Charleston; a grandson, Sean Michael Keefe of El Paso, Texas; and two brothers, Bobby Player (Mary) and Ronnie Player, both of Lynchburg.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Guy "Jimmy" Player Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. James Melton officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Guy Player, Patrick Player, Austin Huggins, Tyler Coker, Buck Matthews and David Matthews.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the educational building at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and other times at the home.
Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grave Baptist Church - Building Fund, c/o Johnnie Faye Nesbitt, 10745 Douglas Swamp Road, Lynchburg, SC 29080.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.