Miriam Wilkes Jeffords Trimarchi

Miriam Wilkes Jeffords Trimarchi, 84 of Bonita Springs, Florida passed peacefully away on Monday, March 6, 2017 with her husband of 37 years, Joseph Trimarchi and her son, William Richardson Jeffords, III by her side. Miriam was born June 28, 1932, in Phoenix, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Reverend Eli Alston and Georgia Anna (nee Richardson) Wilkes. As a young girl and daughter of a Methodist preacher, Miriam lived in towns throughout South Carolina: Aynor, Ridgeville, Hemingway, Branchville, and finally West Columbia. She was smart, beautiful, outgoing, athletic and courageous. At Brookland- Cayce High School she was a member of the Beta Club, Glee Club and she played basketball as well as taking a lead role in the class play in 1950. After high school, she attended Columbia College for a year. While there she was a member of the Athletic Association, the Choir, and the Glee Club. She was also a student pianist. With a strong desire to see the world and serve her country, she joined the WAF- Women in the Air Force where she became a Teletype with top security clearance at the Pentagon. She received an Honorable Discharge in 1954. She married William Richardson Jeffords in 1954 and from that union she had three sons, William Richardson Jeffords, III, Theodore Alston Jeffords, and Thomas Edward Jeffords. The family made their home in Fort Wayne, Indiana but spent their summers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where Miriam loved the sand and the beach. After losing Jeff to cancer, she married Joseph Trimarchi in 1980 and they joined their two families in love, adding her daughter Julie Trimarchi for her remaining days. Joe and Miriam spent their golden years traveling the world. Miriam continued to be beautiful, fun, athletic and courageous. She enjoyed playing golf, basketball and bridge with Joe. She loved her Worthington tennis team playing well into 60's and 70's. She fought and won a battle with Leukemia at 78 and continued to be the life of the party afterwards. She cherished her summers in Myrtle Beach with her family. Mrs. Trimarchi is survived by her loving husband. Joseph Trimarchi; her beloved children, Julie (Javier) Correra of El Paso, TX, and William (Tanya) Richardson Jeffords, III of North Augusta, SC; her devoted sister, Mary Anna (Rod) Wilkes Spangler of Columbia, SC; and five cherished grandchildren, Brandon, Theodore, Dashawn, Ileana and William. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, William Richardson Jeffords, Jr., in 1977; her sons Theodore Alston Jeffords in 2012 and Thomas Edward Jeffords in 1992; and her brothers, the Rev. E. Alston Wilkes and Charles K. Wilkes. A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 9, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail South, Bonita Springs. Visitation for family and friends will take place from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Further services will be held in North Augusta, South Carolina with visitation on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Posey Funeral Directors from 1:00 to 2:30 with graveside service at 3:00 in Pineview Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be offered at www.shikanyfuneralhome.com and www.poseycares.com

Miriam Wilkes Jeffords Trimarchi

June 28, 1932 - March 6, 2017