William Calvin Sr.

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William Calvin Sr., 74, husband of Ellanor Taylor Calvin, died Friday, July 4, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter.

Born Sept. 8, 1939, in Alcolu, he was a son of the late Henry Calvin and Ella Owens Calvin. He attended Clarendon County public schools. In his youth he became a member of Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, serving on the Board of Trustees there. He worked as a farmer for Samuel Durant for more than 50 years until his health failed.

Survivors besides his wife of Alcolu include three sons, William Calvin Jr. of Burlington, N.J., Joseph Calvin of Manning and Lee Russ (Cynthia) Wells of Baltimore, Md.; 11 daughters, Robertha (William) Meyers, Wilhelmenia (Aaron) Cooper, Barbara Calvin and Cathy Calvin, all of Alcolu, Mary (Allen) Tindal and Joanne Calvin, both of Manning, Beatrice (Leonard) Ramsey of Columbia, Ella Mae (Nathan) Brown of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Wilhelmenia (Charles) Harrell and Debbie (James) Pearson, both of Sumter, and Shantella Lloyd of New Zion; an adopted daughter, Dorothy (Randy) Archie; three sisters, Mary Wells and Marie Daniels, both of Sumter, and Bessie Calvin of Manning; 70 grandchildren, two of which he raised as his own, Michael Calvin and Jessie (Natasha) Calvin; 75 great-grandchildren; a great-great grandson; four sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.

Celebratory services for William Calvin Sr. were held Friday, July 11, 2014, at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, 10331 Plowden Mill Road in Alcolu, with the Rev. Hazel Charles, pastor, officiating, and the Rev. Richard Taylor and Elder Bennie Epps Jr. assisting. Burial followed in Francis Cemetery.

The family received friends at 1105 Boston Wells Road in Alcolu.

Online memorial messages may be left for the family at samuelsfuneralhome.com.

These services were entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.