Dr. Benjamin Carlisle Driggers, Jr., went home to meet his Savior on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Dr. Driggers was a faithful servant who truly lived out the commandment found in Matthew 22:37: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
He was born on August 27, 1937, in Hartsville, South Carolina, to Zula Mae Driggers White and Benjamin Carlisle Driggers, Sr. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at age 12 at First Baptist Church in Hartsville. His childhood was shaped by the love of his family, including his sister, Linda, and brother, David, as well as by church, school, and community members who would play important roles throughout his life. He graduated from Hartsville High School.
Dr. Driggers attended Mars Hill College and continued his education at Carson-Newman College. While completing his studies, he worked as the deejay for the school’s radio station.
After graduating in 1959, he earned degrees in theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and a Doctor of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He also received honorary doctorates from Anderson College, North Greenville University, and Charleston Southern University.
Dr. Driggers was a lifelong pastor. For more than 35 years, he served churches across South Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, West Virginia, and Georgia as both pastor and staff member. Through his ministry, he developed a deep commitment to race relations and to reaching all people in accordance with the Great Commission.
He later served for 13 years with the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board) in Atlanta, Georgia, as Associate Director of Black Church Relations and Regional Director for planning and budgeting. In 1991, he was unanimously elected Executive Director-Treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, a position he held for 15 years until his retirement. During his tenure, he advanced a vision for church growth known as Empowering Kingdom Growth. His final pastorate was at Lake Country Baptist Church in Eatonton, Georgia, where he served from 2009 to 2017 and considered his home church.
While Dr. Driggers loved reading, writing, driving his ’55 blue Ford pickup, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves, nothing compared to his love for his family. He met his wife, Jeanette Roberts Driggers, at Carson-Newman College. The two married on August 16, 1959, after he saw her in the cafeteria line and immediately knew he had to meet her. Jeanette was his partner in ministry and life for 66 years, faithfully serving alongside him in every church and role they held together. He often said recently that he “loved Jeanette more today than ever.”
He also dearly loved his children, Jana Driggers O’Kelley and Benjamin Dave Driggers, along with their spouses, his five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Nothing brought him more joy than seeing his family gathered together in love.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; daughter, Jana Driggers O’Kelley (Jimmy); son, B. Dave Driggers (Holly); grandchildren Jarris O’Kelley Etheridge (Mike), Kenneth Olin Driggers (Emily), Jacob Carlisle O’Kelley, Clara Ellen Driggers Taylor (John), and Joseph Benjamin Driggers; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Linda Driggers Williams (Chick), as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Dr. Driggers hoped to be remembered for his vision of growing churches, discipling others, baptizing believers, teaching faithfully, and leading by example. Above all, he will be remembered for his deep faith and enduring love for his family. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Country Baptist Church to continue its mission of leading others to Christ.
A service was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Lake Country Baptist Church with Rev. David Lyda officiating. The family received friends at the church from 2 to 3 p.m. Burial followed on Tuesday, May 26, at 1 p.m. in Providence Church Cemetery in Shady Dale.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.williamsfuneral.net.