Rev. Harry Spruiell Girtman

Rev. Harry Spruiell Girtman, affectionately known as “Pop”, born May 23, 1928, of Columbia, SC, went to be with his heavenly father on February 17, 2018. Rev. Girtman was the son of the late John Carl Girtman, Sr. and Maude Irene Spruiell, and is survived by his loving wife, Pam Girtman; his three daughters, Sue Ellen (Wayne) Bennett of Pendleton, SC, Elizabeth Ann (Don) Grant II of Lamar, SC and Sharon Kay (Bruce) Allred of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. An active member of St. Andrews Baptist church, Rev. Girtman lived a life devoted to teaching and serving others. Rev. Girtman served as a minister for over 40 years, most recently as Pastor of Belmont Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. He also served as Pastor of Hilton Baptist in Newport News, VA, Hampton Heights Baptist Church, in Greenville, SC and Pendleton First Baptist Church in Pendleton SC. Rev. Girtman was also the Supervisor of Instruction for the SC Fire Academy in Columbia, SC where he was named instructor of the year and had the honor of having a classroom dedicated in his name. A native of Alabama, he served in the US Army Air Corp as a draftsmen during WWII. He graduated from the University of Alabama and has remained a passionate fan of the Crimson Tide throughout his life. He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he earned a Master of Divinity and Master in Theology degrees. He is a former President of the General Board, South Carolina Baptist Convention, as well as, the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Courier. Rev. Girtman was also a charter member of the Theology Done Here Group in Columbia, SC. He also served as the Moderator for the North Greenville Association. The funeral service for Rev. Harry Girtman will be held at 11 o’clock, Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC. Entombment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 o’clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia. The family request in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Belmont Baptist Church, 901 Mason Rd, Columbia, SC 29203 or St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. There is only way to express the life he lived, and any who know him would agree, “You Done Good!” Roll Tide.

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Rev. Harry Spruiell Girtman

May 23, 1928 - February 17, 2018