Verdia Louise Tilley Jacks

Verdia Louise Tilley Wightman Jacks, a cherished mother, grandmother, successful entrepreneur, and pillar of her community, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, in Piedmont, SC. She was 85.
Born in 1940 to Daisy Ruth Nichols Tilley and James Peter Tilley, Louise grew up on the historic family farm in Calhoun County, SC, a property that had been in her family since Captain James Tilley received a 150-acre grant in 1738. Her lineage traced back to the Mayflower, through John and Elizabeth Tilley, with Elizabeth being the sole survivor of the first winter. This deep connection to her family's past and the land shaped her profoundly.
Louise's childhood on the farm was idyllic, instilling in her a lifelong love for nature. She often followed her father as he plowed, delighting in collecting arrowheads unearthed from what was once a Native American hunting ground. She embodied the spirit of the "old south," a gentle yet strict society where family and ancestral ties were paramount. This rich upbringing fostered her passion for all things growing and breathing.
A bright student, Louise excelled in Home Economics. For her senior project at Cameron High School, she ingeniously created a fruited coffee cake, which she whimsically named "Swedish Tea Ring" because, as she explained, Sweden was the most exotic country she knew.
In 1958, while stationed at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC, John Edward Wightman III of Philadelphia, PA, was introduced to Louise. They married in July 1959, just two weeks after her graduation. Louise quickly became an integral part of his life, even helping him lead the local Boy Scouts. In 1963, shortly after the birth of their only child, Karen Elizabeth, they moved to Greenville, SC. Louise embraced her role as a secretary in the Athletic Department of the YMCA, where Jack served as Aquatic Director. She quickly became a beloved figure in the Greenville area, known for her warm demeanor, her famous tomato plant starts, and her efficient handling of activity reservations. Their marriage ended in 1980, a difficult time for both Louise and Karen.
Louise found a new passion and a new companion when she explored her love for dancing, attending a beginning square dancing class. There, she met George Jacks, whom she married in 1981. After working as a medical assistant, Louise and George embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, establishing their own maintenance business in 1984.
In the early 1990s, Louise's love for birds evolved from a hobby into a thriving business. She became renowned for her expertise in raising budgies and, more notably, eclectus parrots. Her careful breeding program, dedicated to preserving the bloodlines of rare parrots from the Solomon Islands, and her meticulous hand-raising of young birds made her highly sought after in the aviculture community.
Together, Louise and George poured their hearts into their property in the Grove Station area of Piedmont. They lovingly expanded their old farmhouse and cultivated the land, creating a beautiful and vibrant home. George preceded her in death in December 2022. Louise remained on their beloved home place, surrounded by the life she had cultivated.
Louise will be remembered for her unwavering connection to her heritage, her entrepreneurial spirit, her gentle strength, and her profound love for family and nature. She leaves behind a legacy of dedication, resilience, and a life lived with purpose and grace.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Karen Garner, Lynne Dickerson and Denise Wallace; son, Barry Jacks; sister, Janie Pat Tilley Rickenbaker; and six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Greenville Humane Society in her name, to honor Anna, her faithful companion dog.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Louise with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".