Smyrl Alvin Creed, 97, died Saturday, February 6, 2010 in Columbia, SC. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Kilbourne Park Baptist Church with burial to follow in the family plot in Camden’s Quaker Cemetery at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service in the church sanctuary. Born August 2, 1912 in Camden, SC, he was the oldest son of the late George Alvin and Mattie Smyrl Creed. He was a devoted father and loved his family. He met his wife, Nellie Marie Watts, then of Lugoff, when they both attended Camden High School, where he played guard on the legendary football team that won the state championship in 1931. After playing in a football game, Alvin would catch a ride to Lugoff to court his beloved Nellie. He would walk home to Camden later that night. He graduated from The Citadel in 1936 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was a member of the Summerall Guard. He loved The Citadel and was a life-long supporter. He was particularly proud when both his sons and all his grandsons graduated from The Citadel, all also in civil engineering. He and Nellie Marie Watts were married on his birthday in 1936. He had $50 to his name. Their first son, Robert Alvin, was born before the beginning of World War II. Alvin Creed spent nearly four years away from his young family during the war, serving first in Panama where he was responsible for keeping barrage balloons strategically placed to protect the Panama Canal from aerial assault, as well as other defenses of the canal. The years away from his family and in the jungle wore on him, and he requested a transfer to the front lines. His request was denied, though he was later transferred to the Philippines where he commanded an army ship repair unit in anticipation of being sent to Okinawa. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel. He returned to his family and family business his father was starting in Camden, George A. Creed & Son, a general construction firm. When his father died in 1950, Alvin Creed became president of the company which was then headquartered in Columbia, and built the firm to be one of the largest and most successful in the state during the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. He built many bridges, hospitals, stadiums, schools, office buildings, warehouses and prisons across the state that are still in use today. He was a long time member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and as Finance Committee chair. He was active in the church for nearly 60 years. He was a charter member of the Columbia Sertoma Club. He was also a member of The Summit Club, the Association of Citadel Men, Kershaw Lodge #29 in Camden and was a Shriner and member of The Jester’s Club. He was a devoted caretaker after his dear wife, Nellie, developed Alzheimer’s in 1998. They were married 73 years. He was predeceased by his sister, Frances Adeline Creed and his brother, George Otis Creed. He is survived by his sister, Sophia Creed Denny and her husband, Richard, formerly of Bishopville, now Sumter. He is also survived by his wife, Nellie, and their three children and their spouses: son, Robert Alvin Creed and daughter-in-law, Susan Goetchius Creed; son, Richard Smyrl Creed and daughter-in-law, Joan Mims Creed; and daughter, Nellie Anne Creed and son-in-law, Ronald John Giess. He leaves behind six grandchildren: Daniel Alvin Creed (Donna), Ellen Creed Branham (Forrest), Marie Creed Ingle, DVM (Mark), Tucker Smyrl Creed (Mary Beth), Mims Creed Goza (Andy) and Madeleine Anne Giess, and 6 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Citadel, Kilbourne Park Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is assisting the Creed family.
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