Guelda Robinson Hoats

Mrs. Guelda Robinson Hoats, 95, of Hampton, entered into eternal rest Sunday, November 30, 2025, in Ocoee, Florida. She was the wife of the late Levy Irvin Hoats, Sr., to whom she was married 70 years.

Born March 25, 1930, in Grays, South Carolina, she was a daughter of the late William Joseph Robinson, Sr. and Veronica Tuten Robinson. She was a graduate of Varnville High School where she was on the Women’s Basketball Team and lettered as a guard. She also enjoyed roller skating and playing volleyball. After high school she and her sister, Joline, moved to Savannah, Georgia. She worked there as a clerk typist for a construction company and later as a telephone operator with Southern Bell.

On September 2, 1949, she married the love of her life, Levy Hoats. Two years later, on September 27, they had their first child, Angela. In 1952, they returned to Varnville, South Carolina to take care of her father and younger brother after the death of her mother in 1951. In 1952 she had her second child, Irvin. They moved into a house they built in Hampton where they lived together for 68 years. Her third child, Joseph, was born in November 1959. She and Levy also enjoyed camping with the Skeeter Scratchers Camping Club in Hampton for many years.

Guelda was a faithful and dedicated member of Varnville First Baptist Church for many years. She served her church in many capacities over the years including church librarian, Sunday School teacher, and Sunday School attendance taker. Guelda gladly served whenever asked and was willing to help with anything that needed to be done. She was also a member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School Class and the WMU. She was an expert seamstress and enjoyed creating beautiful quilts for her family and friends. She also worked at Parker Brothers Departments Store in Hampton taking care of the alterations for men’s clothing. Most of all, she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Surviving are: her daughter, Angela Hoats Gantt and her husband Steve of Ocoee, Florida; 5 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren with one on the way; 2 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sons, Levy Irvin Hoats, Jr. and Joseph H. Hoats; daughter-in-law, Deborah Jenkins Hoats; sister, Joline Tuten; and brothers, W.J. Robinson and Isaac T. Robinson, Sr.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o’clock, Saturday afternoon, December 6, 2025, at Varnville First Baptist Church, 165 East Palmetto Avenue, Varnville. Interment will follow in Varnville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 1 o’clock until the hour of service in the church sanctuary.

Arrangements by: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, VARNVILLE-HAMPTON CHAPEL, 1074 Yemassee Highway, Varnville, 803.943.5016. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndon.com.