Born in Salley, S.C., she was the only child of the late William Thompson Wade and Wilhelmina Salley Wade. A 1959 graduate of the University of South Carolina, she was a music major and earned many awards for piano under the tutelage of Miss Elise Currell.
Jan then married the only love of her life, Alvin Roof of Springfield, an all-star basketball player. They moved to Columbia to raise their only son, William Alvin Roof. They lived on Senate Street to be close to the University and finish their degrees. He worked three jobs and she taught French and English for three years. She then became a homemaker and a volunteer to the Easter Seals Society. Alvin decided he wanted to open his own boat manufacturing company in West Columbia with the help of a $20,000 loan from his mother-in-law. She and Alvin were the founders and owners of Galaxy Boat Manufacturing Company where she was regarded as the First Lady in South Carolina to manufacture fiberglass boats.
She was a past president of the Lindenwood Garden Club, longest serving member of the Woman's Club of Columbia, and the Belles Letters Book Club. She was a longtime member of Spring Valley Country Club.
She enjoyed RVing with her family and friends to Gamecock football games for 37 years. They retired together to Garden City Beach and spent time together deep sea fishing and cruising around Murrells Inlet.
Surviving are her son, Rev. William Alvin Roof; daughter, Merrie Janice Roof, and both granddaughters, Meredith Salley and Carlee Anne. She was predeceased by her husband, Alvin Roper Roof and her daughter, Salley Anne Roof.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 in Oakview Cemetery in Salley, S.C. Friends may visit and sign the register book from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Special Needs Ministry, P.O. Box 1000, Columbia, S.C. 29201.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
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