Farley Lawton Briggs

Augusta, GA – Mrs. Farley Briggs, 79, beloved wife of the late Robert Briggs, entered into rest on December 15, 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Farley Briggs was born in the midlands of South Carolina to Charles Alfred Lawson and Isobel Mcleod Smith Lawton. She lived in an idyllic setting in Florence and had a marvelous childhood. Her grandfather was an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and for years had free access to the White House. Farley met her husband, Robert Briggs, and theirs was a long and happy marriage. Bob was a field agent for ATBF and broke up many, many liquor stills in South Carolina. In the marriage Farley pursued a long love of journalism and poetry. In her early years as a reporter for a small town newspaper she was sent to Myrtle Beach to interview Mickey Spillane, the famous crime novelist. He welcomed her with open arms and gave her a long interview. Such was Farley’s charm.

Farley was both a teacher and a published poet. Some of her poems appeared in the Atlanta Review and others were published by the Poetry Society of South Carolina and the Southern Poetry Review. She enjoyed sharing her love of crafting in words with others and taught in several prisons as well as the schools of Armstrong Atlantic State University and Augusta University. Her last poem was entitled “Bethlehem Gifts” and appeared in the The Shepherd’s Voice, a publication of The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way. Farley was a charter member of Augusta Poetry Group and a member of the Author’s Club of Augusta. In addition to her love of words she was a very skilled bridge player and thoroughly enjoyed the contacts she made across the table!

After Bob’s retirement, Farley and her husband became avid tennis players. In time, they would become part of the world of tennis and were National Tennis Association Certified umpires, calling matches for the likes of Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.

The Church of the Good Shepherd became Farley’s family and support system after her husband’s death and she gave back by her faithful attendance at worship, participation in various Bible studies, the Hope for Tomorrow Grief Support Group, and as an active member of St. Catherine’s and St. Margaret’s Circle. Farley was loved and cherished by all at Good Shepherd and she will be missed.

In lieu of flowers Farley made the request that donations be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, 30904.