S.C. honors Peavey with Order of the Silver Crescent

By Kevin Smetana
SCNOW.COM Multimedia Journalist
Published: November 14, 2008

DARLINGTON — After 55 years of doing business in Darlington, Roy Peavey has earned the nickname “Real Estate Roy.”

And Friday, Peavey’s civic contributions earned him the state’s most prestigious award for volunteer and community service.

State Rep. Denny Neilson presented Peavey with the Order of the Silver Crescent at the downtown office where Peavey ran his real estate business, Roy Peavey & Co., for more than five decades before selling it in 2007.

“It’s a real privilege and an honor,” Peavey, 77, said after receiving the award. “It surprised me so much ... I’m humbled by it.”

Neilson, a Democrat who represents parts of Darlington and Chesterfield counties, nominated Peavey for the Silver Crescent with the support of the Darlington County Delegation.

“He’s been very active in the real estate associations and civic clubs,” said Neilson, who purchased her first Darlington home from Peavey. “He is the type of person that helps so many people, and I feel like he’s a very worthy person to receive this award.”

Peavey said his biggest contribution as a volunteer to the community was when he taught real estate students at Florence-Darlington Technical College from 1972-1991. He estimates to have taught 5,000 students over the years.

“He’s a very caring and loving person,” said Billie Peavey, Roy Peavey’s wife. “He’s been a really good citizen to Darlington.”

Along with an award certificate and a South Carolina flag which flew outside the Statehouse, Neilson presented Peavey with a letter from Gov. Mark Sanford, who chose Peavey for the award after Neilson’s nomination.

“As one of the most respected Realtors in South Carolina,” Sanford wrote in the letter to Peavey, “and as a business, civic and community leader, you have touched the lives of folks throughout the greater Darlington area and beyond.”

The Silver Crescent tops Peavey’s extensive resume, which includes:

• Member of the S.C. Real Estate Commission for 16 years.
• Regional vice president for the S.C. Association of Realtors.
• Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award in December 2007 by the Realtor Association of the Greater Pee Dee
• Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2008 by the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce.

Peavey sold his business to Pam Sherrill in January 2007, but he remains with the company as a consultant.