Jeff Truly was born on July 21, 1861, in Fayette, Mississippi, the son of Confederate Army veteran Richard Harrison Truly and his wife, Mary (Key) Truly.
[2][7][8] In December 1898, Governor Anselm J, McLaurin appointed Truly to the office of Circuit Judge of Mississippi's Sixth Judicial District.
[2] While on the Court, Truly handed down decisions on cases including Postal Telegraph Cable Co. v. Wells; J. J. Harper v. State; Revenue Agent v. Kuykendall; and New Orleans and Northeastern R. R. v. A. H. George & Co.[2] Truly's term would expire on August 10, 1906.
[2] They had five children; Everette Geoffrey; Richard Marion; Marjorie; Thelma; and Errick H., who became a lieutenant colonel.
[6][2] Truly died after a long illness at 4 AM on August 25, 1946, in Fayette, Mississippi, and was survived by his widow, his brother Numa, his sister Eva, his three sons, and his two daughters.