Finley J. Garvin

Finley Joel Garvin, 81, of Newberry, SC, died July 17th, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center.

He was born January 25, 1944, in Aiken SC. He was a member of Wightman United Methodist Church where he served on many committees. He grew up in the Langley Baptist Church and enjoyed singing in the church choir and participating in Sunday School and youth group. He graduated from LBC High School, Burnettown SC,where he excelled in basketball, football, and was a member of the Beta club. He started his college career in the Aiken Branch of the University of SC. He worked at Owens men's clothing store and was always a sharp dresser. He also worked part time delivering flowers for Patsy's mother's florist shop. After he and Patsy married, they moved to Columbia and he transferred to the University of SC in Columbia. While he was in school, he worked at Atlantic Bolt and Screw for Patsy's Uncle, Reuben James. Uncle Reuben had a big influence on Finley's life. Patsy worked as a secretary and office manager for a local business in downtown Columbia. When they ran short on funds, Finley would take off to the pool room where he was known as quite the pool shark. He graduated with a bachelor of arts in business administration (BBA) in 1967. He became a full time employee of Atlantic Bolt and Screw after graduation. Later they transferred to Charleston and eventually moved back to Columbia, and were members of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church and Columbia Country Club. They moved to Louisville, KY in August,1981. Finley was a early pioneer in the long distance telephone business with his partner, Sherman Henderson, and they developed UniDial and Lightyear Communications. He was a very successful businessman and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and farming. Upon retirement they moved back to SC, where they resided on Lake Murray. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a wonderful friend. He was a very generous man and helped a lot of people. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his sons, Jason Garvin (Debbie), Brad Garvin (Angela), his brother Francis (Judy); 4 grandchildren, Dylan Garvin (Charissa), Madison Williams (John Hunter), Liam and Becket Garvin; 2 great grandchildren, Lennox Garvin and Haley Williams, his brother in law, Sam Wise (Margaret), and sister in law Mary Lula Pitts (Philip), and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Patsy Wise Garvin, his parents, Frank and Lois Garvin, his daughter Adriane Garvin Smith, a grandson, Brandon Samuel Garvin and his sister Karen Garvin Shealy.

A Celebration of life will be Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:30 am at Langley United Methodist Church, 2696 Augusta Road, Langley, SC led by Rev. Leo Wesley Roy. Visitation will be in the sanctuary from 10:30 – 11:30 am. Following the service everyone is invited to join the family for lunch at Bobby's Bar-B-Q Buffet, 1897 Jefferson Davis Highway, Warrenville, SC. Memorials may be made to Wightman Methodist Church, P.O.Box 376, Prosperity, SC 29127.