Robert McKelvin

The Life Story of Mr. Robert McKelvin

Mr. Robert McKelvin affectionally known as “Bob” and “Pop”, the fourth child of the late George McKelvin and Fannie Mae Butler-McKelvin was born on July 17, 1954 in Edgefield, S.C.  Pop was baptized at an early age.  He was a man of faith, God-fearing, and loved God with his whole heart.  He moved on from earthly service to his heavenly reward on February 2, 2018.

Bob received his early education at the W.E. Parker Elementary School and was a proud graduate of the Class of 1972 of Strom Thurmond High School in Edgefield.

Robert met his high school sweet heart, the love his life, Lura Quarles in 1969 at a high school basketball game.  They were married for 45 wonderful, glorious years.  To this union three beautiful children were born; Damon Vandy, Daron Latraize, and Brehonna Alana, all of whom he took great pride in and loved very, very much.

Bob was a devoted family man.  He and Lura enjoyed taking their family on vacations each year.  Some their travels included visiting Washington, D.C., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Atlanta, GA.

Robert was a great sportsman.  He was an awesome basketball player and an avid swimmer.

Pop loved to cook and possessed great culinary skills.   No one ever came to the McKelvin home and left hungry. Some of his favorite foods to prepare include his famous hash, fried fish, and his mouth watering Bar-B-Que steak and ribs.   Many people enjoyed his awesome hospitality.  He never met a stranger.  He was a kind, loving, gentleman who was always full of life; and loved to entertain everybody as well as lend a helping hand and offer his sound advice to anyone that he encountered on his journey.

Bob enjoyed a lifelong career in serving others.  He was employed as a Plant Supervisor for Kendall Mills for 7 years, Edgefield Meat Locker Plant as a Professional Meat Cutter for a number of years; Carolina Pride as a Professional Truck Driver for 18 years, and the greatest joy of his career was his 16 years of employment as a Professional Truck Driver with Walmart.  Bob proudly boasted about working for Walmart.  He loved his job, his colleagues, and his customers.  Bob received many awards for safety and providing stellar customer service.  He was blessed that he never had an accident in all of his many years of service and many, many miles of driving all over the United States of America.  He retired in 2015.

Robert leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife, Lura Quarles-McKelvin; two sons,

Damon Vandy McKelvin of Atlanta, GA. and Daron Latraize McKelvin of Woodruff, S.C.; one daughter, Brehonna Alana (Jinson) McKelvin-Joy of Mauldin, S.C.; three grandchildren, Jayla Audaziah McKelvin, Hayden Michael Joy, and Haylee Anna Joy; one God-child, Kalisha Todd of Phoenix AZ.; three sisters, Louise (Hartley) Riley of Westbury, N.Y., Lois McKelvin-Vaughn of Salford, VA., and Jeanette (James) Robertson of Suitland, MD.; two brothers, Eddie McKelvin and Michael McKelvin of Edgefield, S.C.;  in-laws: Eddie Lou Quarels of Edgefield, S.C. (mother in-law), siblings in law: James Smith of Washington, D.C., Delores Lanham of Edgefield, S.C., Ollie (Will) Hinton of Greenwood, S.C., Barbara Jean (James) Phillips of Greenwood, S.C., Joe Willie (Linda) Quarels of Edgefield, S.C., Emmie Quarles-Jefferson of Columbia, S.C., Robbie (James) Polly of Edgefield, S.C., Pamela (Craig) Brunson of Douglasville, GA., Gonzalee (Beverly) Quarels of Columbia, S.C., Johnny Quarels of Lithonia, GA., Michael Quarels of Greenwood, S.C., Paulette Andwele of Atlanta, GA., Fitzgerald Quarels of Edgefield, S.C., Shelia Chamberlain of Hepzibah, GA., and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his father in-law, Emmett Quarels, sister in-law, Gussie Smith, and brothers in-law, Clarence Lanham and George Chamberlain.