Walter G. Somerville

Walter G. Somerville CHARLOTTE - Walter G. Somerville, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March, 10th, 2013, and is now with the Lord. Walt was born in Richmond, VA, September 22, 1919, to Walter G. and Hattie Nottingham Somerville, Sr. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Somerville will be held at 11 a.m. at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Reverend Dr. Deborah Conner is officiating. The family will receive friends after the service. Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery in Hartsville, SC. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home, Hartsville, SC is handling the arrangements. Walt was the oldest of eight children and the only one to be born in a hospital. Walt graduated from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, and earned his Master's degree from UNC Chapel Hill, along with work on a doctorate program. He was a lifelong educator and student, first as a teacher and then as a principal in the CMS School System, serving, among others, Spaugh Junior High School School and Enderly Park Elementary School. After retirement, he taught English at Queens University and Central Piedmont Community College. As an educator, he influenced great numbers of students. He often would remark about someone, "I had him/her at Spaugh". Walt was the patriarch of his neighborhood and his family. Affectionately known as "Papa" or Uncle Walt, or simply, Walt, he was loved and admired by everyone he met, and was a Virginia gentleman to all. He always stood up when someone entered the room, and insisted on shaking hands. He enjoyed discussing favorite Bible verses, anything related to his beloved home state Virginia, the Civil War, or the latest book on Abraham Lincoln. His memory was exceptional, and he was able to recall Bible verses, poems, names, places, events, and dates without fail. When asked a question, he would often respond first in English, and then add the Latin, French, or German translation. He was a faithful and stalwart supporter of his Christian faith and his church, Myers Park Presbyterian, and loved the Rhodes-Johnston Sunday School class, which he often led. His favorite Bible verse, Phillippians 4:13, came to him from his father, who would add that to the letters he wrote. He also loved his friends at Carmel Country Club, and enjoyed many holiday and family celebrations there, where he would always stand and ask blessings on the meal. Walt will be greatly missed by his family and his friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 22 years, Lucille Kidd Somerville, and by his second wife of 31 years, Louise Pennington Buie Somerville. He was also preceded in death by brothers Smith Severn Somerville, Rev. Edward Marcellus Somerville, James Somerville, and by a sister, Helen Somerville Able. He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Atwell and Margaret Somerville of Orange, VA, Jim and Mary Rice Somerville of Franklin, WV, and Dr. John N. Somerville of Montreat, NC; his daughter, Luann Somerville Elliott and her husband, Ron Elliott, and her daughter, Katie Moore. He is also survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Roderick Jackson and Cammie Buie, Jr.; W. David and Julia Buie II; and Craig Pennington and Claire Buie, all of Charlotte, SC; grandchildren, Anne Maitland Buie, Scott Roderick Buie, Sarah Elizabeth Buie, William D. Buie, III, Thomas Jackson Buie, Elizabeth Garrett Buie, Emma Ruth Buie, Katie Moore. Memorials may be made to Presbyterian College, 503 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC, 29325, or to the charity of your choice. www.bpafuneralhome.com