Reverend Liferidge's Journey

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."- Revelation 21:4

God in His infinite wisdom called Reverend Ernest Liferidge, Jr. to his great reward on July 1, 2023 at the age of 77. A native of Berkeley County, South Carolina he was born on March 16, 1946 to the late Ernest Liferidge, Sr. and Charlotte Ferguson Liferidge. Those close to him affectionately called him by many names: Elder, Preacher, Ern, June and a childhood name, Crybaby.

Reverend Liferidge was primarily reared in Calvary Church of God In Christ in Goose Creek, SC.  He received his education in the public schools of Berkeley County and graduated from Berkeley Training High School in 1964. Tertiary education was pursued and achieved at Cummings Theological Seminary; Morris College School of Religion, Benedict College School of Religion and Walden University.

The former Geraldine Grant of Charleston, SC, captured his heart "at first sight." Their fifty-two year marriage began on August 1, 1970. Together they raised and unconditionally supported their amazing children: Darrell, Renee, Derrick and Devin.

In 1976, Reverend Liferidge accepted his calling and shortly thereafter began his ministry as the Senior Pastor of Bethel Deliverance Church in Moncks Corner, SC, his hometown, where he faithfully served for thirteen years. It was during this time that he worked as a tax assessor for Berkeley County Government.

In 1990, when led by the Lord to relocate to Lexington, he assumed his longtime role as Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he served for fourteen years.  However, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church became his home prior to his pastoral affiliations in Lexington. From 2005 to 2011, Reverend Liferidge dedicated his service to New Vision Baptist Church in Lexington. Among many efforts, Reverend Liferidge served as Vice President of the Lexington County Ministerial Alliance and the Lexington District One Teacher Recruitment Task Force. Additionally, he served on the District One Committee for Drug Prevention; carried out responsibilities of membership for the South Carolina Educational and Missionary Convention; and devoutly served as Moderator of the Friendship Baptist Educational Association.

For decades of his life, Reverend Liferidge modeled his ministry after Apostle Paul: he epitomized humility, integrity, compassion, fearlessness, commitment and devotion. Notable churches, groups and organizations have honored Reverend Liferidge throughout his extensive ministry.

Fond memories will be cherished by his family: a loving wife, Geraldine Grant Liferidge; children, Darrell Liferidge, Renee (Mark) Fraiser and Derrick Liferidge (Tessa) all of Columbia, SC and Devin Liferidge (April) of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, Dorrielle Goodwin (Rashad), Isyss Fraiser, Mark Fraiser, Jr., Annalyse Fraiser, London Liferidge, Nehemiah Liferidge and Audrey Liferidge; siblings, Phillip Liferidge (Lucinda) of Moncks Corner, SC, Sharon Henderson (Jerome) of Covington, GA and Rose Carroll (Gregory) of Moncks Corner, SC; sister-in-law, Alma Liferidge; brother-in-law, Herbert Gilliard; nieces, nephews, special cousins, associates of the clergy and adoring friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023, 12:00 p.m., at Radius Church, 300 West Main Street, Lexington, SC. The body will lie-in-state at Radius Church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. There will be NO VIEWING after the service. Burial will take place in Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 300 Hermitage Road, Lexington, SC. The service will be LIVESTREAMED on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh