Roy Eugene 'Sonny' Mevers, Jr.

Roy E. Mevers, Jr. (Sonny) passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 3, 2017. Sonny was born on September 18, 1931, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while his father, Roy E. Mevers was on assignment with Standard Oil Company. Sonny traveled throughout southeast Asia with his parents until he returned to Charleston at the age of 5, where he lived out the rest of his life. He graduated from Murray Vocational High School, attended Belmont Abbey and the University of South Carolina. In 1955, he founded R. E Mevers Contracting, Inc., a remodeling and renovation construction firm. He was instrumental in the restoration of many historic properties in downtown Charleston, particularly in Ansonborough, where he purchased and renovated the original home of Capt. Anson for his office. Sonny was a lifelong sailor and participated in local regattas well into his seventies. He purchased a beach house on Sullivan’s Island in 1965, and spent every summer there surrounded by family and friends. Sonny also enjoyed his Mountain in Tryon, NC where he had an abundance of friends. He was also an avid antique & classic car collector. He retained ownership of the first pickup truck he purchased for his business, a 1955 Ford F150, restoring it to mint condition. In 2007, he met Minnie Newman Blackwell and they were married in September of 2016. Minnie brought him years of extreme happiness. As his health began to slowly deteriorate he kept a brave face, never complaining, and always asking if you were ok. Minnie was his caregiver, staying by his side, loving and caring for him 24/7. Sonny was always interested in providing educational opportunities for the children of our community, and in January of 2017, he founded the Mevers School of Excellence, a charter school in Berkley County, which opened for classes this fall. Sonny was a member of the Charleston Yacht Club, Carolina Yacht Club, the Hibernian Society, the Charleston Model A Club, R.OM.E.O (retired old men eating out) and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was predeceased in death by his father and his mother, Margaret McAlister Mevers. He is survived by his wife Minnie; her three daughters, Felicia Blackwell Brown, Jessica Blackwell Brue (Jeff), and Madison Blackwell; two sons, Roy-Gene Mevers (Beth), and Billy Mevers (Sue); two grandchildren, Walker Brown and Isabella Brown; four grandchildren, Roy Mevers IV (Margaret), Benjamin Mevers, Margaret Mevers, Chris Mevers (DeAnn); and three great grandchildren, Scarlett Mevers, Emma Grace Mevers and Roy Mevers V. (Beau). He was loved, admired and will be missed by scores of family members and countless friends. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Roper medical and at Roper Hospice for their love and care they provided for Sonny. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 11, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 89 Hasell St. A celebration of life will be held immediately afterward at 17 East Battery. The Rite of Committal will be private. The family will receive friends between 4:00 and 7:00 PM, Friday, at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sonny Mevers Foundation, Crescom Bank, Attn: Holly Edwards, 288 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401.