Ollie Garvin, Jr.

Brother Ollie Garvin, Jr. was the second child born to the late Ollie Sr. and Mary Frazier on April 17, 1935, in Hampton County, SC.  At the age of 17 after the passing of his father, he became the man of the house and father figure to four out of five siblings; Willie Mae Kwasi-Benett (Elijah); Verdell Garvin, Marie Baptiste and Johnnie Garvin (Ambrance).  His older sister Dorothy Garvin preceded him in death.

He was a product of the Hampton County School System and was drafted into the United States Army in 1956 and honorably discharged in 1957.  In November 1958 he married the love of his life the late Evangelist Mary M. Garvin and moved to NYC. They were the proud parents of three shining stars; Edna Overton (Lloyd-deceased) of Portsmouth, VA; Sheila (Bruce) Garvin of Harlem, NY; and the late Philip (Barbara) Garvin of Corona, Queens; consistently nurturing them with the value of sacrifice, giving unselfishly, seeking wisdom from their elders, becoming academic scholars, and trusting in the Lord.  He was the Patriarch of the family with many aliases (Papa G, Mr. G, Unk and Godfather of the South).

During his employment years Bro. Garvin was an auto mechanic, school bus driver and did much carpentry work.  He was raised in the church and became faithful to Gods calling at an early age and continued until his death. While in search of a church home in NY they served at Salem United Methodist Church.  In 1961 the Garvins joined Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church.  Bro. Garvin served as a Pastor’s Aide, Trustee and sang with the Senior Choir.  He used his master carpentry skills to remodel the Lord’s house, expanding its function to better serve the community.

In 1984 he transferred his church membership to the Allen A.M.E. Cathedral, located in Jamaica, NY under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake. Bro. Garvin faithfully served at Allen as a Trustee; he worked the Security Ministry and sang with the Senior Choir and faithfully attended Sunday school and Bible Study.  

After retiring in 2004 he and his wife relocated to Walterboro, SC and transferred their memberships to St Peter’s AME Church under the pastorate of Rev. Eugene Cryer. As a member of the church he taught Sunday School; served as coordinator of the Evangelist Mary M. Garvin intercessory prayer ministry, sang with the Senior Choir and participated in the Prison Ministry under the current pastor Rev. Leon Maxwell.  As part of the School Time Bible Education Program he mentored the youth.  He was a leader in weekly Prayer and Bible study.

He was a committed, concerned, faithful compassionate and passionate person.  His mission statement has always been the lyrics to one of the great Negro spirituals “I'm working on the building, It's a true foundation. I'm a holding up the bloodstain banner for my Lord, Well I never get tired of workin on the building, I’m going up to Heaven to get my reward”

He leaves to cherish his memory his children previously mentioned; four grandchildren, Keysha  and Jermel Garvin, of GA; Tanisha Davis and Sharna of NY; seven great-grandchildren, Zéhna, Torie, Jr., Riána , Shayla, Leeland; Kuteara and Makelia; two great great grandsons Nassir Garvin-Johnson, Idris (Scotty), Jr;  one brother-in-law Emmett McPherson, of Hampton, SC, two sister-in-laws Jannie L. McPherson of Garnett, SC and Reatha M. Orr of Walterboro, SC; one very special niece Cassie Garvin a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. 

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