St. Clair Orvin

St. Clair "Pop" Orvin, 97, of Moncks Corner, founder of Orvin's Piggly Wiggly and Orvin's Furniture and Appliance, passed away January 16, 2011. He was the widower of Ganelle Smith Riley Orvin.

St Clair was born in the Wassamassaw area of Berkeley County, the last surviving child of twelve. He was the son of John Wesley Orvin and Martha Jane West Harvey Orvin.

A graduate of Berkeley High School, on May 14, 1937, he married Gladys Ouida Tatum of Tampa Florida. He later married Ganelle Smith Riley Orvin of Summerville.

St Clair was a self-made businessman, buying and reselling candies, gum,and tobacco products throughout Berkeley County. He was one of the first Berkeley County retailers of kerosene refrigerators and wringer washing machines. He and his brother, Denmon W. Orvin, Sr., later established the first self-serve grocery store in Moncks Corner, which later became part of the Piggly Wiggly franchise.

He was a past member of the Moncks Corner Rotary Club; the American Legion; Moncks Corner Retailers Association; a Deacon and the oldest living member of the Moncks Corner Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are his sons: St. Clair Baxter Orvin and his wife, Betty; and Clair Tatum Orvin and his wife, Cindy; two step-sons - John W. Riley and his wife, Cynthia; and Dr. Thomas W. Riley and his wife, Patricia; four grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and a very loving friend, Ruth Riley of Ridgeville.
He was predeceased by his daughter - Martha Jenifer Orvin Gregg; his wives, Gladys Tatum Orvin Niederhof and Ganelle Smith Riley Orvin; and his eleven brothers and sisters - Julia Rozier Harvey Snell; Pearl Zillah Harvey; Stephen Arnold Harvey; Allen Jacob Harvey; Oswell Jennings Harvey; Norman Lloyd Harvey; Harry David Harvey; Fannie Mae Orvin Varner Hill; Dorothy Eleanor Orvin Browning; Denmon West Orvin, Sr., and John Yates Orvin.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyertian Church, 419 West Main Street, Moncks Corner, S. C. 29461.

The family will receive friends at Russell Funeral Chapel, Moncks Corner, Saturday afternoon January 22, 2011, from 1:30 TO 3:30 p.m. Private family burial will follow immediately.