News Summary
James H. ‘Jimmy’ Barfield, a respected public servant and Sumter County Assessor for over a decade, has died at 69. His life, marked by dedication to property assessments and local sports, is remembered fondly in the community.
Sumter, SC – James H. “Jimmy” Barfield, a dedicated public servant and longtime Sumter County Assessor, has passed away at the age of 69. He died on July 16, 2025, at Prisma Health Richland in Columbia, South Carolina.
Born on December 30, 1955, in Dillon, South Carolina, Barfield was the son of the late Daniel Harold Barfield and the late Shirley Grace Gregory Winn. He devoted over 40 years of his life to the Sumter County Assessor’s Office, where his expertise guided local property assessments. In 2013, Barfield became the Assessor, a role in which he took great pride and responsibility.
Beyond his professional life, Barfield was an avid sports enthusiast. He was particularly passionate about playing softball and golf, regularly participating in recreational leagues. Barfield and his wife, Wendy Coward Barfield, who have been married for nearly 33 years, were well-known in the community for their dedication to supporting local sports teams. Their primary allegiance was to the South Carolina Gamecocks, alongside other local schools and travel ball teams such as Wilson Hall, Laurence Manning, Sumter High School, and East Clarendon.
Barfield is survived by his wife, Wendy; one brother, Greg Barfield of Greenwood, SC; one sister, Lisa Barfield of Greenville, SC; a stepbrother, Jimmy Winn (Lisa) of Edgefield, SC; and a stepsister, Debbie Lancaster (Tommy) of Columbia, SC. He also leaves behind a special cousin, Susan Polk (Chris) of Graniteville, SC; two sisters-in-law, Sheila Wasson (Eddie) and Robin Beasley, both of Sumter, SC; as well as an uncle, Larry Gregory of Saluda, SC, and an aunt, Peggy Gregory of Greenwood, SC. Additionally, he is remembered by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Jack Winn.
The family will host a celebration of Jimmy Barfield’s life on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home. Friends are welcome to gather with the family at the home of his sister-in-law, located at 2097 Winterberry Road, Sumter, SC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Sumter County Gamecock Club or Saving Sumter’s Strays.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is handling the arrangements for those wishing to pay their respects.
Barfield’s passing is felt deeply within the community, where he was not only a public servant but also a passionate supporter of local sports and a devoted family member. His contributions to Sumter County and its residents will not be forgotten.
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Additional Resources
- Edgefield Advertiser: Jimmy Barfield, Sumter, SC
- Legacy: James Pringel’s Obituary
- Legacy: Tammy Goins Briggs’ Obituary
- Google Search: James H. “Jimmy” Barfield
- Wikipedia: Sumter County, South Carolina
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
