Hayward Jacobs Jr

Hayward Jacobs Jr. was born on March 11, 1956, in Sumter, South Carolina, to Hayward and Mary Reid Jacobs Sr.
Hayward was a 1974 graduate of Sumter High School. After graduation, Hayward went on to South Carolina State College (now known as South Carolina State University) where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the SCSC class of 1978.

Hayward was a proud and faithful member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Xi Psi Chapter, at South Carolina State College. He pledged in Spring 1976 as part of the Storming 7 line, holding position #6 and known lovingly by his fraternity brothers as Deputy Dawg. In 1977, he served as Keeper of Finance and was an active member of the chapter’s Ensemble, sharing his gift of song in churches throughout the Orangeburg community. He also performed with the Step Team, which earned the title of 6th District Champions in 1977. Hayward was a devoted and supportive brother who gave his all in every endeavor. He was a member of the ROTC and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the United States Army.

In 1976, while at South Carolina State College, Hayward met the love of his life, Funneaser “Neisie” Davis. She was a freshmen and Hayward was a junior. The two became inseparable and were united in marriage on December 22, 1979, while Neisie was a senior. They wanted to ensure she would be stationed at Fort Hood, Texas with Hayward upon her graduation in May 1980.

Their union was blessed with two sons, Hayward Jacobs III and Miquel A. Jacobs. Hayward III and wife Shvawn blessed Hayward and Neisie with two beloved grandchildren — Skylar (11years old) and Hayward Jacobs IV (6 years old).

Hayward was a dedicated member of First Northeast Baptist Church since 1995, where he faithfully served in numerous ministries and positions over the years, including Youth Sunday School teacher, Usher, Kitchen/Hospitality, Marriage Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Men’s Choir, Grateful Ones Ministry, and Vacation Bible School Ministries. He also served diligently on the Trustee Board, where he held the position of Chairman for many years.

Professionally, Hayward retired from South Carolina State Government, having served with distinction in several agencies, including the Department of Health & Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice—where he received multiple awards for outstanding service—and the Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services. Prior to his state service, he served in the military, worked with Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Medicare Services of America and Palmetto Government Benefits Administrators.

Hayward was a devoted family man who deeply cherished time spent with loved ones. He especially enjoyed traveling the world and cruising with his wife, as well as taking annual “Men’s Trips” with his sons and brother-in-law to destinations such as Las Vegas, San Diego, and Southeast Asia. He loved visiting Sumter to spend quality time with his beloved parents, who are both 90 years of age. He also loved cakes, chocolate, cookies, and anything sweet. He required sweets at all gatherings.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, God quietly called His faithful servant home to eternal rest. Hayward fought the good fight and finished his course with grace.

He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife of 46+ years, Funneaser “Neisie” Davis Jacobs, of Columbia, SC; two loving sons, Hayward Jacobs III (Shvawn) of McLeansville, NC, and Miquel Jacobs of San Diego, CA; two cherished grandchildren, Skylar and Hayward IV of McLeansville, NC; his devoted parents, Hayward and Mary Reid Jacobs Sr. of Sumter, SC; two brothers, George Edward Jacobs (Jackie) of Columbia, SC, and Charles Levan Jacobs (Wakita) of Sumter, SC; a host of sisters-in-law(s), brother-in-law(s), nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, fraternity brothers, church family, and dear friends who will forever treasure his life and legacy.

Hayward was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Jacobs and his sister, Sandra Denise Jacobs