Searching for a James Henry Leopard obituary Greenwood SC usually leads folks down a bit of a rabbit hole. You might be looking for a specific person who recently passed, or maybe you're tracing the roots of a well-known Upstate family. Honestly, the Leopard name is deeply woven into the fabric of Greenwood and Laurens counties.
Here is the thing. When you look up James Henry Leopard in this part of South Carolina, you aren't just finding one person. You are finding a legacy that spans generations. Most recently, the name has resurfaced in local mentions because of the passing of his son, James Darren Leopard, in early 2025.
Who was the original James Henry Leopard?
The man often referred to in older records as James Henry Leopard was born back in 1933. He was a Laurens County native through and through, born in Hickory Tavern to James Hudson Leopard and Lillie Mae Leopard. He didn't live a long life—he passed away in 1975 at the age of 42—but he left a massive footprint.
He and his wife, Ruby Ann Smith, raised a family that stayed close to home. If you've lived in Greenwood or Ninety Six for a while, you’ve probably met a Leopard. They are carpenters, hunters, and hard workers.
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Connecting the dots to James Darren Leopard (1966–2025)
The reason many people are currently searching for the James Henry Leopard obituary Greenwood SC is actually due to the recent loss of his son, James Darren Leopard, who most people just called "Darren."
Darren passed away on April 30, 2025, at the age of 58. While his father was the "original" James Henry in many people's minds, Darren carried that name forward. He was born in Greenwood and spent the bulk of his life in Ninety Six.
He was a master carpenter. You can probably see his handiwork in houses all over Greenwood County. He wasn't just a guy who swung a hammer; he was the kind of person who would stop whatever he was doing to help a neighbor. He loved the simple stuff—riding his golf cart, sitting by a bonfire, or water tubing.
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Family ties and the Greenwood connection
If you're trying to figure out the family tree for an obituary or genealogy project, here is the breakdown of the immediate family:
- Parents: James Henry Leopard and Melba Ann Berry Leopard Morgan.
- Siblings: The family has deep roots, with brothers like Ronnie Tim Leopard (who passed in 2021) and others like Rickey, Steve, Tony, and Bobbie.
- Children: Darren left behind daughters like Savannah and sons like Dustin and Josh.
It’s easy to get confused because the names repeat. That’s just how it goes in old South Carolina families. You have James Henry the father, James Darren the son, and numerous cousins and nephews carrying the same names.
Funeral services and final resting places
For those looking for service details related to this family line in Greenwood, Harley Funeral Home has historically been the primary point of contact. Darren’s memorial service was held at Beacon of Hope, with burial and family gatherings often taking place in the Ninety Six or Laurens areas.
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The elder James Henry Leopard is buried in Laurens, having passed decades ago. However, the family remains a fixture of the Greenwood community.
What to do if you’re searching for records
If you are looking for specific legal or historical documents regarding a James Henry Leopard obituary Greenwood SC, there are a few places that actually have the real data:
- The Index-Journal: This is Greenwood’s local paper. Their archives are the best bet for finding the original 1975 notice or more recent family updates.
- Laurens County Records: Since the elder James Henry was from Hickory Tavern, Laurens county archives often hold more of the "deep history" than Greenwood.
- Find A Grave: There are detailed entries for the Leopard family at the Laurens cemetery and other local plots.
People often forget how much a single family can influence a small town. The Leopards in Greenwood represent that blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth backbone of the South. Whether it was through construction, hunting, or just being a good neighbor at the local grocery store, the name James Henry Leopard carries a lot of weight in these parts.
If you’re doing genealogy, always double-check the middle names. Between the James Henrys, the James Berleys, and the James Williams, it is easy to mix up a grandfather with a nephew.
Next Steps for Your Search:
To find specific dates or survivors for a particular branch of the family, check the Harley Funeral Home digital archives or the Legacy.com listings for Greenwood, SC. If you are specifically researching the 1975 record, you may need to visit the Laurens County Library's microfilm collection, as those older obituaries aren't always fully digitized with the same detail as modern ones.