The Reverend Calvin Quarles, age 86, was the second of six children born on September 6, 1930 to Deacon R. T. and Hattie Carter Quarles in Anderson County.  He departed this life on October 20, 2016.

As a young child, he was educated at Deep Creek School, received his High School Diploma from McDuffie High School Adult Education Program, completed several courses of studies from then Anderson College, before receiving his Theological Masters of Divinity from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1951, Calvin Quarles enlisted in the United States Army as Private First Class (PFC).  He served in Company B, 13th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, APO7, Republic of Korea, and in the Korean War.  He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953 and 57 years later, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.  

At a young age, he joined King David Baptist Church and served on the Deacon Board for several years.  Later he joined Deep Creek United Methodist Church (now Emmanuel), where he served as a Sunday School Teacher before accepting his calling into the ministry.

He faithfully served as Pastor to St. James, Bethlehem, Bethel, New Golden Grove, Moore’s Chapel, and Fairfield United Methodist Churches.  Rev. Quarles served and preached the gospel all together for over 30 years.

Rev. Quarles was a very versatile person and enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, which included: reading, farming, hunting, bowling, singing, and spending time cooking out with his family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving wife of 66 years, Cornelia Cunningham Quarles; five daughters, Cathy (Ray) Gambrell, Helen Vehe, Hattie Gaines, Rachel (Rufus) Rice, and Anne (Larry) Merriweather; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lera (John) Davis and Vera Thomas; three brothers, E.T. (Ruby) Quarles of Washington, D.C., Theodore Quarles, and Rev. Hazel (Elaine) Quarles; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon R.T. and Hattie Quarles; one son-in-law, Rev. Fred Vehe; and one grandson-in-law, Rodney Chamblee.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday.   The funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church.  The interment will follow at M. J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery.  

View service details for public viewing hours and directions.

The family is at the home, 1500 Mountain View Road Anderson, SC 29626.

In Loving Memory Video Tribute to Rev. Calvin Quarles

 Service Information