The Reverend Garvin Sellers was born on April 8, 1929, to Garvin (Bud) and Minnie Bell Scarborough Sellers in Greenville, South Carolina. After graduating from Parker High School in Greenville, he went on to study at Bob Jones University, where he met his wife, Mary, and continued his education. He received a B.A. in history from Guildford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, in June of 1953.
Rev. Garvin and Mary were married on September 3, 1950. Their son, Daryl, was born in Greensboro while Garvin was completing his education. Following graduation, Rev. Garvin assumed the pastorate at Bishopville Church of God in Bishopville, S.C., and served on the S.C. state youth board. The Sellers' son, Terry, was born during that time. Rev. Garvin developed a severe illness that temporarily required him to resign from the ministry. He and his wife began working in the shoe business for his uncle, D.A. Scarborough, in Alexander City, Alabama. Recovering from his illness, his uncle helped them move to Bremen, Georgia, where they established Princess Shoes. Princess Shoes continued through 1979 and was owned and managed by their son, Daryl, in the last several years. They purchased Bremen Wholesale Florist in 1977. Later, their son Daryl and son-in-law Mark Clayton purchased the business. Daryl continues as the sole owner.
Rev. Garvin was an ordained minister in the Church of God. After moving to Bremen, he pastored the Buchanan Church of God and evangelized. The Sellers' daughter, Kimberly, was added to the family in 1964, and they moved to Dahlonega, Ga., where Garvin continued pastoring. During his years of service in Dahlonega, he oversaw the building of the church's first parsonage. He returned to Bremen in 1966, becoming the pastor of the Villa Rica Church of God. In September 1975, he founded Mount Holly Church, holding the initial services at Holly Springs Baptist Church. In November 1976, they bought land at Mount Holly's current location on Highway 27 North. He led the church during the building of its initial sanctuary, which was completed in 1977. Rev. Garvin retired in 1982 but had maintained his membership with the church since then. In 2004, Rev. Garvin and Mary were selected as the North Georgia Senior Adult Ministerial Couple of the Year and later received the National Senior Adult Ministerial Couple of 2005.
Rev. Garvin served on the Bremen City Council in the early 1960s. He served in various positions with the Haralson County Mental Health Association, Haralson County Ministerial Association, Chaplaincy of Higgins General Hospital (Tanner Higgins), and the Union Campground. He also served as chairman of the Citizens and Merchants Bank board of directors.
On May 5, 2020, Rev. Garvin passed away following two years of declining health. He was predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Vernon, his sister Aretha, and his grandson Sean. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, three children, Daryl, Terry, and Kimberly, and his brother Frank "Del" (Sybil) Sellers.
Rev. Garvin and Mary were married on September 3, 1950. Their son, Daryl, was born in Greensboro while Garvin was completing his education. Following graduation, Rev. Garvin assumed the pastorate at Bishopville Church of God in Bishopville, S.C., and served on the S.C. state youth board. The Sellers' son, Terry, was born during that time. Rev. Garvin developed a severe illness that temporarily required him to resign from the ministry. He and his wife began working in the shoe business for his uncle, D.A. Scarborough, in Alexander City, Alabama. Recovering from his illness, his uncle helped them move to Bremen, Georgia, where they established Princess Shoes. Princess Shoes continued through 1979 and was owned and managed by their son, Daryl, in the last several years. They purchased Bremen Wholesale Florist in 1977. Later, their son Daryl and son-in-law Mark Clayton purchased the business. Daryl continues as the sole owner.
Rev. Garvin was an ordained minister in the Church of God. After moving to Bremen, he pastored the Buchanan Church of God and evangelized. The Sellers' daughter, Kimberly, was added to the family in 1964, and they moved to Dahlonega, Ga., where Garvin continued pastoring. During his years of service in Dahlonega, he oversaw the building of the church's first parsonage. He returned to Bremen in 1966, becoming the pastor of the Villa Rica Church of God. In September 1975, he founded Mount Holly Church, holding the initial services at Holly Springs Baptist Church. In November 1976, they bought land at Mount Holly's current location on Highway 27 North. He led the church during the building of its initial sanctuary, which was completed in 1977. Rev. Garvin retired in 1982 but had maintained his membership with the church since then. In 2004, Rev. Garvin and Mary were selected as the North Georgia Senior Adult Ministerial Couple of the Year and later received the National Senior Adult Ministerial Couple of 2005.
Rev. Garvin served on the Bremen City Council in the early 1960s. He served in various positions with the Haralson County Mental Health Association, Haralson County Ministerial Association, Chaplaincy of Higgins General Hospital (Tanner Higgins), and the Union Campground. He also served as chairman of the Citizens and Merchants Bank board of directors.
On May 5, 2020, Rev. Garvin passed away following two years of declining health. He was predeceased by his mother and father, his brother Vernon, his sister Aretha, and his grandson Sean. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, three children, Daryl, Terry, and Kimberly, and his brother Frank "Del" (Sybil) Sellers.