Dr. Rufus Hackney was a Tar Heel, having spent his formative years in Durham.  He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNC Chapel Hill with further work at Duke University and the University of Georgia.  He was a teacher and administrator on the collegiate level.

Rufus was passionate about sports, faith and family.  As a student at UNC, he played basketball, ran track and recruited for the UNC basketball team.  In later years he coached basketball, soccer, tennis, track and field and served as president of the North Carolina State Coaches Association.  His personal sport of choice was golf, and he coached the Francis Marion University golf team for 11 years.

He practiced his faith.  While living in North Carolina, he taught Sunday School on the radio for 10 years.  He ultimately joined Central United Methodist Church in Florence and served as usher, teacher, Stephen Minister, and was president of the Methodist Men for 10 years.  He was a faithful worker with the American Cancer Society for many years.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Sallie; his son David (Valeria); his daughter Elizabeth (Brian); his grandson, Emmett; his brother Daniel; three nephews; and three bonus children.

There will be a private Celebration of Life held at a later date.

Those wishing to remember Rufus may do so through a charity of their choice.