Joseph Pinckney

Joseph DeLacy “Joe” Pinckney, Sr., was born on September 28, 1938, in St. George, South Carolina, the fourth child of Robert C. and Hattie Rivers Pinckney. He attended public schools in Dorchester County, graduating from Williams Memorial High School, Class of 1956. He continued his formal education, graduating from Allen University, Class of 1960, and Indiana University, Class of 1962.


Joe was a long time dedicated educator and coach, having taught for over thirty years at various schools including Spearman High in Williamston S.C., Wren High in Piedmont, S.C., Mauldin High in Mauldin, S.C., J.L. Mann and Riverside High in Greenville, S.C.


Coach Pinckney or “Coach P”, as he was known, was a kind and generous mentor to his family, students and athletes. He patiently encouraged them to succeed while quietly cheering them on from the sidelines. Under his guidance, many of his students went on to have successful college and athletic careers, including earning a spot on the 2016 Olympic Track team in Rio de Janeiro.


While he never sought personal recognition for his coaching skills, he was pleased to have been inducted into the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015, and to have the Greenville County Championship Triple Jump Event named after both he and his son Joey, who he coached in high school.

Coach was an active member of the John Wesley United Methodist Church and a loyal member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was instrumental in supporting the first local HBCU Football Classic, an avid bowler, a skilled handyman and a trivia expert.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert C. and Hattie Rivers Pinckney; a brother, Bobbie Nolan Pinckney, and a sister, Sallie Pinckney Johnson.


He leaves behind to cherish his loving spirit: a daughter, Delaciea “Lace” Pinckney Keaton of Conyers, GA; a son, Dr. Joseph D. (Lori) Pinckney Jr. of Charlotte, NC; their mother, Ercelle Pinckney of Mauldin, SC; grandson, Eric Keaton of Athens, GA; granddaughters, Nia and Lauren Pinckney of Charlotte, NC; sister, Nancy D. Pinckney of Durham, NC; long-time friend and companion, Mary Greer of Greenville, SC and countless family members, former students and friends, who will treasure many fond memories and are forever grateful for time he spent with them.