Obituary of Dr. Bob Aaron Teems

Dr. Bob Aaron Teems, “Dr. Bob,” 82, passed away peacefully at home in Pawleys Island, South Carolina on September 24, 2022. Born in Boone, North Carolina on October 15,1939 to parents Martha and Martin “Goss” Teems, Dr. Bob was the youngest of eight children. An avid and gifted athlete, Dr. Bob was a beloved minister, friend, sportsman, adventurer, gardener, and family man. A man of great faith, Dr. Bob had a deep love and appreciation of nature. He loved people, and was always willing to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed. Dr. Bob graduated from Sumter High School in South Carolina and attended the University of South Carolina where he played baseball and football. While in college, Dr. Bob was called to the ministry and soon transferred to Columbia Bible College. In Columbia, he met his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Ann Yoder, then a student at the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing. Mary Ann and Dr. Bob enjoyed many adventures together in their younger years including working multiple summers at a summer camp in upstate New York. After Dr. Bob and Mary Ann married, they moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he graduated from Southwestern Seminary. Dr. Bob’s first church was New Hope Baptist Church in Appomattox, Virginia. He and Mary Ann then sharpened their conversational French skills, joined the Foreign Mission Board and, with their three young children in tow - Rhett, David, and Bea - served three years as missionaries on the island of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies. This was a formative time for Dr. Bob’s family and his career. Dr. Bob had a long and successful career as a minister. A gifted leader, community builder, and champion of youth programs, Dr. Bob successfully led many capital campaigns to build church facilities. These efforts enabled his congregations to grow, thrive, and fellowship and fostered robust youth and adult ministry outreach programs. He loved leading church youth and adult trips nationally, to Israel, and in Europe. Over the years, he was the minister of the First Baptist Church of Elloree, SC, Huguenot Road Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, SC, Providence Baptist Church in McLean, VA, Ebeneezer Baptist Church in Florence, SC, and Glenn’s Bay Baptist Church in Garden City, SC. He came out of retirement for a short stint to pastor the Garden City Baptist Church in Garden City, SC. Along the way, he earned his Doctorate in Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, hence his affectionate nickname “Dr. Bob.” Throughout his career, Dr. Bob served on multiple community and higher education board of directors, advisory boards, and community committees. Dr. Bob was very proud of his family. He is survived by his three children, Rhett Teems (Angel) of Salisbury, NC, David Teems of Pawleys Island, SC, daughter Bea Armstrong (Mike) of Asheville, NC, and three grandchildren, Tristan Teems, Kirklyn Teems, and Aiden Armstrong. Dr. Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Ann, brothers Ron, Ray, Earl, Jay and his sisters Pat and Dolly. He is survived by his sister, Nell Miller, of Vilas, NC, sister-in-law, Pat Yoder, of Great Falls, SC, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 3rd, at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Georgetown, SC. Visitation will be at 10am prior to the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Georgetown Scholarship Fund, 219 Cleland St. Georgetown, SC 29440. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grahamfuneralhome.org. Arrangements entrusted to Graham Funeral Home (843) 527-4419.