Roy Israel McGarrell

Dr. Roy Israel McGarrell, of Apopka, Florida, died at home on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. He was 91.

He was born in Friendship Village, the sister village to Buxton on the East Coast of the Demerara River in Guyana, South America. Roy was the third child of Oscar McGarrell, a farmer and chairman of the Local Authority of the Buxton-Friendship Village District, and Irene McGarrell (nee Gill), a homemaker.

He attended the Friendship Methodist School from kindergarten to sixth standard and the Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist School for the remainder of his elementary education. After a stint at Ray High School and earning his Teacher's Diploma from the Ministry of Education in 1955, he taught elementary school at the Enmore Government School from 1955 until 1959.

As a young man, Roy was an active member and officer of the Buxton Seventh-day Adventist Church. He held several leadership roles and was invested as a Master Guide. As his relationship with God grew, so did his desire for more education. And so, in 1959, he enrolled at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), formerly Caribbean Union College, in Trinidad, to pursue an Associate of Arts in Theology.

In 1962, he was ordained and credentialed as a minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. On June 25, 1962, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Martinborough. They wed at the Buxton Seventh-day Adventist Church, and three children were born into this union: André, Fern, and Faith-Ann.

After one year as principal of the Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Elementary and Secondary Schools, he launched into fulfilling employment as a district pastor. In 1970, Roy returned to USC and became part of the first cohort of students in the newly introduced Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology. Upon completing the program in 1972, he returned to pastoral ministry in Guyana. From 1972 to 1976, he served as the Education and Stewardship Director of the Guyana Mission. In 1976, he was elected the first President of the newly established Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the first native Guyanese in this role.

In 1980, Roy McGarrell left Guyana to pursue graduate studies at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. While at Andrews, he earned a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education.

In 1989, he returned to USC and began his tenure as a professor of theology and religion. In 1995, he was appointed Dean of the School of Theology and Religion and served in this role until 2004. During his long and fruitful years of service, he served as one of the associate pastors for The University Church, was on numerous academic and ministerial committees and boards, and received several awards and citations. He mentored and trained a generation of pastors, denominational directors, and administrators across the Caribbean, the Americas, and the global Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Roy Israel McGarrell is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Dr. Shirley Ann McGarrell; son, Dr. André Roy Fenton McGarrell, and his siblings, Mrs. Emily Simon, Mrs. Edna Henry, and Mr. Reuben Crossley McGarrell.

He is survived by his two daughters: Mrs. Fern Hudson, RN (Carl) of Apopka, Florida, and Dr. Faith-Ann McGarrell of Silver Spring, Maryland; and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Grace McGarrell (André) of Hanford, California. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Mrs. Safiya Soares, Esquire (Alex), Mr. Stephen Hudson, Mr. Marcello McGarrell, Ms. Gabrielle McGarrell, and many beloved extended family members.

His life was one of dedicated service, the impact of which will ripple through generations to come. He awaits the call of the Life-giver, his Savior and Friend. Indeed, what a day that will be! Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!