Mrs. Emma McElveen Laffitte

Emma McElveen Laffitte, aged 90, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Following a private family burial, a service celebrating Emma's life will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at The Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Still Hopes Retirement Community, One Still Hopes Drive in West Columbia. A reception will follow at the adjacent Guignard Mansion.
Daughter of the late Dr. Hawkins King Jenkins, Jr. and Ruby Jenerette Jenkins, Emma was born June 29, 1934 in the Mountain Province of Sagada, Philippine Islands where her father was a medical missionary for the Episcopal Church. While on furlough, World War II commenced and the family settled at the State Park Tuberculosis Sanatorium near Columbia, South Carolina.
Growing up in Columbia, she attended Columbia High School and the University of South Carolina. In 1957 she married W. Powers McElveen and became a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church where she enjoyed serving the Lord for many years as a Sunday school teacher and working with the Women of the Church, which she later served as President and received the Lifetime Membership Award.
Emma loved her family dearly, which expanded considerably when Powers passed away after forty years of marriage, and she subsequently married M. Tucker Laffitte, Jr. in 2000. Not a day passed when she was not on the phone with a child or grandchild checking in to see how everyone was doing. Emma also treasured her many friendships, which continued to grow after Tucker passed away in 2023 and she moved to Still Hopes.
Emma was predeceased by Powers, Tucker and her sister, Gertrude Gause. She is survived by her children: William Powers McElveen, Jr. (Tammy), Louis Manigault McElveen (Elizabeth), Hawkins Jenkins McElveen (Katie); her grandchildren: Mary McElveen Barker (Jake), Charlotte McElveen Willard (Preston), Elizabeth Tennent McElveen, Louis Manigault McElveen, Jr. (Sam), William Earl McElveen (Lauren), Capers Ivison McElveen, Rivers Monroe McElveen and Jeffere Powers McElveen; and her great-grandchildren: Emma Marie Greenberg, Andrew Morton Greenberg, Jr., Margaret Moseley Barker, Woodrow Preston Willard, Jr. and Josephine Manigault Willard; and Hawk's stepdaughter, Melissa Huck Kelly.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201.