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Walter McKelvey Obituary
Funeral services for Reverend Dr. Walter Henry McKelvey, Sr., husband of Loretta Felder McKelvey, will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Francis Burns United Methodist Church, 5616 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the hour of service. The Alpha Phi Alpha Omega Service will be held at 12:30 PM. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia, SC. On Monday, August 22, 2022, Rev. Dr. McKelvey may be viewed by the public from 1-5:00 PM at Palmer Memorial Chapel, 1200 Fontaine Place, Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Walter H. McKelvey, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Gammon Theological Seminary, 653 Beckwith St., SW Atlanta, Georgia 30314 or visit Gammon-Itc.org.
Rev. Dr. Walter H. McKelvey, Sr. transitioned on August 15, 2022 at his residence in Columbia. Born in Greenville, SC, he was a son of the late Eliza Thompson McKelvey and Joseph L. McKelvey. He was a graduate of Sterling High School in Greenville and Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA. He married Bettie Holmes of Cleveland, OH and they became the parents of Angela Cleo and Walter McKelvey, Jr.
He earned a Bachelor of Divinity at Gammon Theological Seminary/Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, Master of Arts in Evangelism at Scarritt College in Nashville, TN and Doctor of Ministry at Drew University in Madison, NJ. He received the Doctor of Divinity (DD), Honoris Causa from Gammon Theological Seminary/Interdenominational Theological Center in 1984. He was Certified in Executive Management by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1991. Dr. McKelvey served in three United Methodist Church Conferences: South Carolina Conference, Tennessee Holston Conference and the Western North Carolina Conference. His service began in the Central Jurisdiction. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Surviving are his loving wife, Loretta Felder McKelvey of Columbia, SC; children, Angela Cleo (Theodore) Jenifer, McDonough, GA and Walter H. (Wangui) McKelvey, Jr., Atlanta, GA; 4 grandchildren; sisters, Grace L. Gary, Simpsonville, SC and Mary E. Welch, Nashville, TN; and a host of other relatives.
Condolences may be made on his Tribute page, found at: www.PalmerMemorialChapel.com
Professional services rendered by the Palmer Memorial Chapel.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter McKelvey
Sponsored by Palmer Memorial Chapel - Columbia.
Rebecca Wright
August 29, 2022
Dr. McKelvey and my late husband shared a lot in ministry when he served in the WNCC. I am sorry to hear of his passing. God bless you in your time of grief.
Lois Parsons
August 23, 2022
My deepest condolences to Dr. Felder & the family on the loss of their loved one.
Nancy B. Rivers
August 23, 2022
Isaiah 52: 7 says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."
Dr. Mckelvey was the pastor of Mt. Carmel UMC in Bamberg, SC from 2011 to 2013. Even though he was a man of many esteemed accolades. He still possessed a servant´s heart. He introduced to our church the acronym to reignite our fire and passion for Jesus, entitled "PUV" Pump up the Volume. (Reminding us of our call for service)He even brought pins for the congregants to wear as a reminder of the mission. We are forever grateful to God for Dr. McCelvey´s leadership and concern for the needs of our church and community. I thank God for his oversight and insight into what it means to be a Kingdom Leader, who every week took the 2-hour round trip commute from Columbia to teach Bible Study and Sunday Worship.
I pray that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will continue to comfort Dr. Loretta McCelvey, the children, grandchildren, family, and friends.
Warmest Regards,
Mr. Anthony & Mrs. Nancy B. Rivers & Family
Inez Manoney Alexander
August 23, 2022
My condolence and sympathy to the family of Dr. Walter Henry McKelvey. Dr. McKelvey and I attended and graduated from Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA in 1963. May he Rest In Peace.
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James W. Davis Jr.
August 22, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Levelle B. Marshall
August 22, 2022
Sympathy and Condolences extended to the McKelvey family I am one of Herbert Thompson's granddaughters.
Angela R Butler
August 22, 2022
Dear Angie & BB,
I am truly sorry and saddened for the loss of your precious father!
A longtime friend to Johnny and me, Dr. Mc has always been kind, caring, and comical. We have kept in touch since our UMPH days, and I am forever grateful. When we last spoke, we discussed the possibility of him coming to Denver one day. Now, we'll just see him on the other side. Still, I will miss him terribly!
Johnny and I are praying for you, asking the God of all comfort to comfort you ALL during this sad time.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Anderson Elementary Family
August 22, 2022
Praying for your family continually.
Dale McLendon
August 22, 2022
LET GOD lead you. thank GOD for the time you shared.
each day will get better with GOD leading you. Your
family will be here for you. With love. Dale
Myrna & Charles Williams
August 20, 2022
Loretta,
We are so saddened to hear about the loss of your husband, Walter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we offer our sincere condolences. We hope the good memories you have of him will comfort you in the days ahead.
Our love and prayers are with you and your family.
The Roberts Family
August 20, 2022
Praying for your family continually.
William Pace (Gammon-ITC; 2001-2005)
August 20, 2022
Our (William and Ruth) Sincerest Condolences to (Mrs.) Loretta and Family...I Give God thanks and Halleluyahs for Dr. McKelvey for being an integral part of my Theological Education and being a mentor and friend..and Fraternity Brother...... Grace and Peace. (Doc) Grace and Peace.....
Richard Randolph
August 20, 2022
Walter was one kind and saintly man. I had him to come and preach at Christ UMC in Greensboro, North Carolina while I was the senior pastor. He was an outstanding preacher! He had a compassion for others that warmed a casual relationship into a friendship! My congregation loved him! He will be greatly missed! "To God be praised for the great things He has done!"
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