Peavey awarded Order of the Silver Crescent

DARLINGTON — Darlington realtor Roy Peavey received the state of South Carolina’s highest award for volunteer and community service Friday, the Order of the Silver Crescent.

Peavey, owner of Roy Peavey and Associates and an institution in Darlington who is well known throughout the real estate profession in South Carolina, said he was honored by the award, which was presented by state Rep. Denny Neilson, D-Darlington, on behalf of Gov. Mark Sanford.

“Well, it’s a real honor for me,” Peavey said. “I never thought I would get anything like this, but I guess miracles still happen. I’m very happy and delighted by it. I know there are a lot of people out there more deserving than me. So I’m very humbled by it.”

Sanford said Peavey upholds the highest ideals of servant leadership.

“A life well spent is a life that includes others,” Sanford said in his letter bestowing the award. “As one of the most respected realtors in South Carolina and as a business, civic and community leader, you have touched the lives of folks throughout the greater Darlington area and beyond.”

Peavey has been in the real estate business for 55 years. During that time, Sanford said, thousands of prospective real estate agents from throughout the Pee Dee have learned the business under his guidance as they prepared for their careers.

Peavey was a real estate instructor for 20 years at Florence-Darlington Technical College and Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College, during which time he taught more than 5,000 students.

Sanford’s letter also noted Peavey’s involvement in civic and community activities and causes. Those include serving on the Darlington Board of Realtors, the S.C. Real Estate Commission, the Jaycees and Civitan clubs and First Baptist Church in Darlington.

“These and many other noteworthy endeavors have greatly benefited from your leadership, wisdom, encouragement and support,” Sanford wrote.

“You capture the essence of a gentleman who considers it an honor and privilege to serve others through gifts of your time and talents, and while it is difficult to compress and describe all you have done for your community in a letter, we appreciate your committed and faithful service. Your generosity over the years will have an enduring effect on our citizens and, for all you have done, we extend our gratitude.”

The Order of the Silver Crescent is awarded to South Carolina citizens for exemplary performance, contribution and achievement within the community. It is the state’s highest award for volunteer and community service.

“Roy has done so much for the community, for Darlington County and for the state,” Neilson said. “He really deserves this award.”

Earlier this year, Peavey received the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding achievements in Darlington and Darlington County.
In December of 2007, he was awarded the Realtor Lifetime Achieve-ment Award from the Realtor Association of the Greater Pee Dee.

Peavey represented South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District on the S.C. Real Estate Commission for 16 years from 1980 to 1996, a position to which he was elected by the General Assembly.