Dr. Randolph

Dr. Jerry L. Randolph, 75, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, October 12, 2016. He enjoyed a full and active life as a husband, father, social worker, professor, collector and restorer of antiques, avid reader and world traveler. Born August 2, 1941 in Angola, Indiana, Jerry was the youngest of the late Paul and Helen Randolph's nine children. Jerry married the love of his life, Dr. Linda Crowl Randolph, on August 27, 1966 and they spent 50 happy years together raising their daughter, building and decorating reproduction Victorian homes, and exploring the world. Jerry was a proud graduate of the Angola High School Class of ‘59 and spent three years serving in the U.S. Army before returning for college. He completed an undergraduate degree in history at Ball State University, a Master's Degree in social work at Indiana University and received his Doctoral Degree in Social Work from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Jerry was devoted to his life's work of educating and preparing social work professionals for productive careers. There are many social workers in the State of South Carolina who count him as their teacher, mentor and friend. His career included a fellowship at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, field supervision of practicing social workers, clinical therapist, as well as more than 30 years of teaching at the University of South Carolina - College of Social Work, retiring as a Professor Emeritus. One of Jerry and Linda's great passions was travel. They visited all 50 states and over 60 countries during their years together, favoring long cruises in their retirement. Jerry and Linda were often joined in their travels and other life adventures by Linda's sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Edward Ballard, who survive him. Just one week ago, they concluded the final trip of their "Golden Jubilee Celebration" with a cruise along the Pacific coast. In addition to his wife and daughter, Dr. Whitney (Michael) Steele, he leaves behind three treasured grandchildren, Helena, Mara and Jeremy Steele. Also surviving him are three of his much adored sisters, Patricia Niedernhofer, Sharon Kasaba, and Nancy McIlvaine; a brother, Tom Randolph; numerous nieces and nephews; and his "other brothers", Jerry Sipkin and Lige Mathis. Preceding him in death were his parents, three sisters, Paula Jones, Sondra Ervin and Beverly Kundard, and brother, John Randolph. The family will receive friends at the family home, 1610 Hollyberry Lane, Spartanburg, SC 29301, on October 20, 2016 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm to remember Jerry and toast his memory. Next summer his ashes will be interred at Circle Hill Cemetery in Angola, Indiana. Jerry took great pride in giving money and time to a wide variety of causes he believed in. Please feel free to honor his memory by donating to the charity of your choice. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Jerry L. Randolph please visit our Sympathy Store.