With love and hope, Garvin Edward Means was born on July 23, 1948, to the late Leola Shands Means and the late Wilbur Means.

Following his graduation from Lincoln High School, he achieved distinction as one of the first African Americans to obtain machinery certification at Spartanburg Community College, previously Spartanburg Technical College.

He subsequently pursued his passion in the United States of America by enlisting in the Army. He earned a National Defense Service, Vietnam Campaign, and Vietnam Service Medals. He also attained two stars and received two Overseas Service Bars as well as a Sharp Shooter Badge.

After being honorably discharged, Garvin Edward Means leveraged his creative expertise to pursue drawing, painting, laying foundations, and helping to construct homes and historic office buildings in South Carolina. He also held a long-term membership with Wofford Chapel CME Church and the Willing Workers Sympathy Club.

Garvin embodied a gentle spirit, embracing life's joys, from music and travel to football and warm laughter, with a deepening devotion to his faith in his latter years.

God's time of departure was January 28, 2025.

He leaves behind a cherished legacy through his devoted daughters Vanessa (Bernard) Logan and Brandy (Devron) Johnson; three grandchildren, Whitney Mills, Shundra Mills, and Majesty Mays, and five great grandchildren, Maikyla Mills, Taylor Ward, Sophia Mills, Journii Howard, and Teighan Franklin. He also spent quality time with his honorable God-granddaughter Sabrina (Andrew) Owens, along with their three children, Mathias Owens, Blythe Owens, and Ziva Owens.