07/29/2026
Samuel L. McKelvie, Sr.
Funeral service will be 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at John H. Shaw's Son Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Jones Cemetery, Clarkton, NC. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Samuel Lee McKelvie, Sr. was born on March 30, 1937, in Elloree, South Carolina, to the late Julia Belle and Josiah McKelvie. He was one of nine children. Samuel, affectionately known as "Sam," was a hardworking man from an early age. Not only was he dedicated to his work, but he also helped care for his brothers, sisters, his parents and many others. He worked various jobs, at gas stations, painting, and other labor-intensive work. At the age of 16, he used his hard-earned savings to purchase a one-way Greyhound bus ticket from Elloree, South Carolina, to Norwalk, Connecticut, to begin a new life up North. While living in Connecticut, Sam met Rosanna Rebecca "Beck" Prioleau in South Norwalk, Connecticut. Although they had both lived in South Carolina, they had never met there. They married in Brooklyn, New York. Their union was blessed with five children. Sam and Beck raised their family in Bridgeport, Connecticut before later relocating to Stratford, Connecticut. Before entering the trucking industry, Sam found himself at a crossroads between becoming an owner-operator of a trucking business or an owner-operator of a lawn service company. He initially invested in the equipment needed for a lawn service business. However, he decided to sell the equipment and chose the trucking industry instead—a decision he never looked back on. In 1970, Sam became an owner-operator of his own truck and became employed under Allied Van Lines, Hartford Dispatch in Connecticut. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and accolades in recognition of his hard work and dedication. While still working for Allied Van Lines, Sam relocated to Ocala, Florida, and later retired in 2006. During this time, he also resided in Cross, South Carolina, for about a year, while maintaining his residence in Ocala, Florida. Sam recently traveled to Delco, North Carolina, from late spring to early summer of 2026 to visit with his siblings, where he passed away. He was preceded in death by his beloved, Rosanna Rebecca Prioleau McKelvie (Beck); his parents, Julia McKelvie and Josiah McKelvie; sister, Dorothy Prioleau; his brothers, Rev. Joseph McKelvie (Mary), Nathaniel McKelvie (Azalee), Marion McKelvie (Joyce), Julius McKelvie and Edward McKelvie and Ida Taylor, a longtime friend/companion and caregiver. Samuel leaves to cherish his memory: five children: Cynthia McKelvie of Stratford, Connecticut; Michael McKelvie (Stephanie); Samuel McKelvie Jr. (Doreen) of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Wanda McKelvie-Cooksey of Woodbridge, Virginia; and Lisa McKelvie of Laurel, Maryland; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Pastor Ida Graham (Robert); one brother, John H. McKelvie (Aida); a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Sam was an inspiration to many, both young and old—many of whom all realized the great impact he had on their lives. Encouraging others to pursue a career in the trucking industry or simply offering conversation and advice. He also inspired two of his grandsons by giving them opportunities to work with him, travel, and earn money. He extended those same opportunities to his nephews, cousins, friends, and in-laws. To this day, there are still a few truck drivers thanks to Sam. Sam was a remarkably creative and artistic man. He had the unique ability to take worn-out or even burned furniture and restore it to look better than its original condition. He also liked discovering and trying new inventions. Unfortunately, Sam lost his sight over the last ten years but never lost his "inner vision." Even as he was losing his eyesight, he was able to repair and maintain the classic Chevy Malibu that he transformed into one of the first classic "lowrider" pickup trucks. That invention was his pride and joy, and it still sits at his home in the yard located in Ocala, Florida to this day. Whether you called him Samuel, Dad, Daddy, Didi, Grand Dad, Grand Pa, Uncle Sam, Mr. Sam, or simply Sam, Mr. Samuel Lee McKelvie, Sr. was truly a blessing from God. His life was a testament to hard work, perseverance, creativity, generosity, and faith. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
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