Herman Leroy McGrew

Herman Leroy McGrew, Sr., 97, of Mount Pleasant, SC, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 5, 2018. He resided at the home of his son, Daniel H. McGrew, and daughter-in-law, Gloria J. McGrew. Herman was born in St. George, SC on July 29, 1920. He was raised at the Connie Maxwell Orphanage during the Great Depression after the death of his parents in 1929.

He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served in Germany as a sergeant in World War II. During his time in the Army, he met and married Katie Bell Conner (Jerri) from Fairbluff, NC. After they married, they resided on James Island. After leaving the Army, he went to work for Coplestons Carpet Company while attending Rice Business College. He worked for the carpet company for 23 years before God blessed him with his own carpet company known as McGrew's Carpet Company and Service that is still in operation in Mount Pleasant today.

Herman and Katie were members at James Island Baptist Church and helped start Fort Johnson Baptist Church on James Island. Herman served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, President of the Baptist Men's Group, supported local and foreign missions, and he also served as a Gideon. He loved serving the Lord. Herman also helped in the founding of the Baptist College of Charleston which later became Charleston Southern University. He was also a large supporter of the Connie Maxwell Orphanage. After moving to Mount Pleasant, SC, he attended and joined First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant where he later helped establish Shem Creek Baptist Church and Unity Baptist Church. In the last three years, he was an active member of First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant.

Herman was a man of quick wit and humor. He had great stories to tell and was a man of wisdom. Herman never met a stranger and he loved everyone. He was a blessing to so many people who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Katie Conner McGrew (Jerri), two sons Roger McGrew and Randy McGrew. His parents and siblings: Father-Ireland Omega McGrew and Mother-Katherine Lenoli Blewer McGrew; Brothers-William McGrew, Johnny McGrew, Allen (Blease) McGrew, Cornelius McGrew, Edward McGrew, and Howard (NC) McGrew; Sisters-Margaret McGrew Lynch Knight Johnson and Rena McGrew McDaniel.

He will be missed by his two sons, Daniel H. McGrew (Gloria), and Herman Leroy McGrew, Jr. (Sandra), his two daughters, Peggy E. McGrew Moore (Tim) and Robin D. McGrew Coons, and one Sister-Clara Mae McGrew Wilkinson.

Grandchildren, Kelly Coleman (Brian), Connie Chapman (Jeff), Daniel McGrew, Jr. (Mary Ellen), Leroy McGrew, Joy Wireman, Brock McGrew, Wesley Moore, Kyla Kraft (Hank), Samuel Moore, Lauren LeGrand (Dexter), Mark McGrew, Luke McGrew (Rebecca), Woodrow Whray and Melissa Foster (Jesse), 24 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great, Great Grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Herman Leroy McGrew, Sr., will receive friends on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Sunday, April 8, 2018 in First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant, 681 McCants Drive at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ralph Johnson VA Hospital, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or Connie Maxwell Children's Home, P.O. Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648.