District Elder George McElveen

It is with heartfelt sorrow that the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. announces the transition of District Elder George McElveen. Elder McElveen was the husband of First Lady Betty M. McElveen and pastor of Salvation Temple Holiness Church in Hartsville, SC.

Elder McElveen transitioned from labor to reward on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in McLeod Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. 

Celebration of Life for Elder McElveen will be 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in the Churchyard of Salvation Temple Holiness Church, 909 Salvation Lane, Hartsville. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. 

OBITUARY

    “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me  to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runnethover. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.“(Psalm 23)

    District Elder George McElveen, Jr., age 75, died peacefully on January 20, 2021, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina after a brief illness. He was born on December 27, 1945, the third child of Robert and Luvenia Harrison McElveen of Florence, SC. Two older siblings (twins) preceded him in death. Now, being the oldest siblings, he took leadership amongst the siblings. George’s parents were sharecroppers, so farming was a part of his life. Sharecropping was hard at times, and at times his education suffered because the family moved several times in pursuit of a better life. Even though his education suffered, he developed a strong work ethic. He was educated in both the Florence and Darlington County Schools.

    On October 24, 1966, George was united in holy matrimony to Sara J. Lee, and to this union five children were born. A daughter, Joyce Renee McElveen, preceded them in death.

    Initially, George was employed by the Hartsville Cotton Mill for a few years before moving on to Klopman Industry. He ultimately was employed by Sonoco Products in Hartsville, SC,where he worked for 29 years as a machine operator before retiring in the year 2000.

    In September 1972 at the age of 27, George was baptized in the Name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost under the leadership of the late Suffragan Bishop Wallace Johnson at Christ Temple Holiness Church in Darlington, SC. Brother George was actively involved as a Sunday school teacher for the adult class, a member of the Brotherhood Choir, a deacon, and a minister. He was deemed one of the “Sons of Thunder” by the late Suffragan Bishop Wallace Johnson. Later, Minister McElveen was ordained as Elder by the Carolina State Council of the PAW, Inc.

    In December of 1995, the Lord led Elder McElveen to begin a ministry in Hartsville, SC. He found a building called “the Rabbit Box”, and on February 4, 1996, the doors of Salvation Temple were opened for Sunday school. His first sermon was “Come”. Elder McElveen’s humble spirit and love for the Word, won many souls for Christ. A few years later, the Lord blessed the church to be able to purchase land for what is now the present site of Salvation Temple, Elder McElveen enjoyed driving the church van, and he picked up enough people to fill the van for Sunday Services, Tuesday evening Bible class and Thursday evening Bible Class. 

    In September of 2005, Elder McElveen was elevated to District Elder under the leadership of Bishop Richard Young of the South Carolina State Council of the PAW, Inc.

    District Elder McElveen really enjoyed fishing. He especially enjoyed fishing from his boat with his sons and grandchildren.At the same time, he enjoyed baseball and swimming. He often took his children swimming at the lake. His favorite thing to do, though, was to study the Scriptures. This passion was evident as he preached and taught the Word. He believed that nothing came before the Word of God! He had Bibles in just about every room in his house. He often spoke about arriving to church early and reading while waiting for others to arrive. He was dedicated and faithful!

    On March 17, 2017 George’s beloved Sara passed away. She left a void in his life and he grieved for her.   On November 17, 2018, District Elder McElveen was united in marriage to Sister Betty Warren from Darlington, SC.

    Those left to cherish his memory are: his devoted wife, Sister Betty McElveen of the home; four loving children: Terry (Joyce) McElveen of Hartsville, SC, Carol (Michael) Howard of Florence, SC, Eric (Audrey)  McElveen of Darlington, SC, and Kimberly McElveen of Darlington, SC; twelve grandchildren: Latoya, Chaddrick, Courtney, Cameron, Shequella, Shanelle, Whitlee, Ashlee, DeAndre, Michael, Antwan, and Cherish; four great-grandchildren: Christinee, Zariah, Conner, and Kameron; two step-children: Cassandra A. McCray of Darlington, SC and Gregory McCray of Loganville, Georgia; seven sisters: Almena (Johnny) Moses of Darlington, SC, Mary Lee of Darlington, SC, Viola (Willie) Johnson of Hartsville, SC, Sturvine (John) Kelly of Darlington, SC, Kathleen McElveen of Darlington, SC, Lurie (Vincent) Dorsey of Raleigh, NC and Edna (Otis) Nichols of Hartsville, SC; two brothers: Steve (Rosella) McElveen of Darlington, SC and Robert (Cynthia) McElveen of Darlington, SC and a brother-in-law: Tommy McDaniel of Darlington, SC; six aunts: Ida Mae Burch, Ella Mae Harrison, Margaret Harrison, Azilee Jefferson, Deloris Hughes and AundrieGilliam; three uncles: Minister Eugene (Helen) McElveen, Carl (Carrie Lee) McElveen and William (Geraldine) McElveen; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

   District Elder McElveen was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Luvenia Harrison McElveen, his daughter, Joyce Renee McElveen, his first wife, Sara J. McElveen and a sister, Linda McElveen McDaniel.

Please keep his wife, children, grandchildren, and other McElveen family members along with his church family in your thoughts and prayers.  

Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, the McElveen Family is having a card drop-off/drive by on Sunday, January  24, 2021 from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm at the Salvation Temple Holiness Church. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of District Elder George McElveen, please visit our floral store.