Deacon Wilbur Means

Passed 01/09/2018

Obituary For Deacon Wilbur Means

Spartanburg, SC- Deacon Wilbur Means, 92, of 1513 Old Canaan Rd., entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 after a brief illness at Mary Black Hospital. Mr. Means was born on February 16, 1925 to the late Fred Means and Maggie Louise Whitmire Means. He was the husband of the late Leola Shands Means for sixty-four years. Wilbur graduated from Foster Chapel High School, Class of 1944. He was a U. S. Army Veteran serving in World War II. Mr. Means retired from Draper Corporation after thirty years of service. He was previously employed with Dunbar Antiques and several Charter Bus Transportation Services. He was a member of The Robert Smalls Lodge #133. Deacon Means was a life-long member of Harrison Grove Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board, Finance Committee, Rector All-Male Chorus, Mass Choir, President of the Usher Board, President of the Tyger River Baptist Association Ushers Auxiliary, Willing Workers Sympathy Club and Humane Society. Wilbur was one of the first players of a Negro League Baseball team. Survivors include: his son, Garvin E. Means of Spartanburg, SC; his sister, Mattie M. Means of Roebuck, SC; his granddaughters, Vanessa (Bernard) Logan and Brandy (Devron) Johnson; his three great-granddaughters; his four great-great-granddaughters; his sisters-in-law, Fannie S. Rogers and Mary Louise M. Means both of Spartanburg, SC; his devoted niece, Betty Williams; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: a sister, Elnora M. Williams; his brothers, Fred Thomas Means and Charlie Marion Means. Deacon Wilbur Means will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church. A Celebration of the Life of Deacon Wilbur Means will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Harrison Grove Baptist Church, 299 Harrison Grove Rd., Roebuck, SC. Pastor Allen V. Rector will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.



Guest Book

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford and Mary Meadows and family, we offer our sincerest sympathy in the loss of Deacon Means. He has been a pillar in his church and community and will be missed.

- Cooky Meadows Huff

Dea. Means was a giant of a leader in the Tyger River Baptist Association usher ministry as well as in usher ministry work across this state. His presence and leadership will be greatly missed. We are praying for Dea. Means' family and friends. Dr. James L. & Rev. Audrey V. Hailstock

- James and Audrey

Praying for the family. A faithful worker for the Lord.

- Betty

I will miss his words of wisdom as well as his smile. He was an awesome man of God!! RIH Deacon Means.

- Marilyn Riser-Jones

Our sympathy and condolences goes to the family in the loss of Mr. Wilbur. He will be truly missed.

- John W. & Marilyn Wilkins

My condolences to the family in the loss of your dear loved one. There is nothing more painful in life then losing a loved one in death. Our loving God Jehovah understand how you feel because death was not a part of his original purpose for mankind (Genesis 1:28). He provides comfort from his word the Bible to help cope with the loss. Psalm 34:18 says; Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit. Very soon now he will fulfill his promise of no more sickness and death by resurrecting dead loved ones back to life on a paradise earth (John 5:28,29). May these scriptures strengthen and comfort you during this sad time. Please visit our website: jw.org for more comfort and view the comforting video; Is There Hope for the Dead?

- R. Sweatman

Garvin, accept our sincere condolences in tbe loss of your dear dad. May you find some comfort in the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 which reads: '3 Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our trials' Yes, we can ask for help and rely on God. He also has made the SURE promise of a resurrection RIGHT HERE ON EARTH when it is restored to a beautiful paradise. (Acts 24:15; Psalms 37:9-11, 29). Be confident that this is SURE to happen because Isaiah 55:11 ensures us of this. Find out more online at JW.ORG

- R&R