Dr. Carlisle Driggers

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 the commandment given in Matthew 22:37, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”. Dr. Driggers 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 the age of 12 at First Baptist Church in Hartsville. His childhood was guided through the love of his family that included his sister, Linda, and brother, David, and other church, school and community members who would play key roles in his life. Dr. Driggers 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 of the school’s radio station. After graduation in 1959, Dr. Driggers went on to earn degrees in theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and a Doctorate of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. Additionally, Dr. Driggers was awarded honorary doctorates from Anderson College, North Greenville, and Charleston Southern universities. Dr. Driggers was a life-long pastor. For over 35 years he served as a pastor or staff member of churches in South Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, West Virginia, and Georgia. Through his experiences and background, he had a heart for race relations and reaching all people as commanded through the Great Commission. For thirteen years he served on staff at the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board) in Atlanta, GA, as the Associate Director of the Black Church Relations Department and then Regional Director for planning and budgeting. In 1991 Dr. Driggers was unanimously elected to the position of Executive Director-Treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention where he served for 15 years until his retirement. While at the SCBC his focus for church growth was envisioned though Empowering Kingdom Growth. His final pastorate was at Lake Country Baptist Church in Eatonton, GA from 2009-2017. He considered Lake Country his home church. While Dr. Driggers loved reading, writing, driving his ’55 blue Ford pick-up and the Atlanta Braves, none of these compared to the love he had for his wife and family. Dr. Driggers met the love of his life at Carson-Newman College. He married Jeanette Roberts Driggers, from Cartersville, GA, on August 16, 1959. He has told the story many times of seeing Jeanette in the cafeteria line at school and knowing immediately that he needed to meet that girl! Jeanette has played a key role in their 66 years of marriage and service in the churches and positions they have held together. She has been Carlisle’s true partner and role model of a preacher’s wife. He recently told family members that he “loved Jeanette more today than he ever had.” Dr. Driggers also dearly loved his daughter, Jana Driggers O’Kelley, and son, Benjamin Dave Driggers, their spouses, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Nothing pleased him more than sitting at a family gathering and seeing their love for each other. In addition to his wife, Jeanette, Dr. Driggers’ survivors include his 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. Survivors also include his sister, Linda Driggers Williams (Chick), nieces, nephew and cousins. Dr. Driggers wanted to be remembered for his vision of growing churches. He discipled others, baptized, taught and led by example. He will always be remembered for his genuine faith and love for his wife and family. Donations may be made to his home church, Lake County Baptist Church, to carry out the mission of leading others to Christ. A Service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 3PM in Lake Country Baptist Church with Rev. David Lyda officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 2PM to 3 PM. Burial will be on Tuesday, May 26 at 1 PM in Providence Church Cemetery in Shady Dale.

Dr. Carlisle Driggers

August 27, 1937 - May 18, 2026