Chapter Invisible

Herman Abraham McGill, was born Wednesday, June 29, 1938, to Esther Belle Ervin and Burgess McGill in the Bloomingvale Community of Andrews, South Carolina in Williamsburg County. Affectionately known as HAM and Abe, much of his life he went by H. Abraham or HA. A survivor of a variety of health challenges, he fought until the very end, and on the morning of Wednesday, April 9, 2025, he departed this earthly life.

He was educated at St. Mark Elementary School and Tomlinson High School in Williamsburg County. Herman was the first in his immediate family to attend college. He graduated from Allen University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics then went on to pursue graduate studies at Fisk University where he earned a Master’s degree in Physics.

On December 28, 1966, he married the love of his life, South Carolina native Georgia Lee Schumpert and moved to Washington, DC. To that union Vicki and Monica L. McGill were born.

In 1961, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Allen University and was a founding member of the Kingstree Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. After moving to Washington, DC, he became an active member of the Washington Alumni Chapter. He was a member of the chapter’s scholarship committee which formed Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund (KSEF) in 1983. He served as KSEF Vice President alongside President Dr. Carl Anderson for many years. He was a part of the Named Endowed Scholarship Program (NESP) and sponsored several scholarships in his name. His first NESP scholarship was with his wife Georgia and the last, which is designated for students interested on fashion design, was with daughter Vicki and named after his mother Esther and mother-in-law Elizabeth Hipp Schumpert, who were wonderful seamstresses and quilters.

He worked in District of Columbia Public Schools from 1966 to retirement in 1995. A math teacher, his first year he taught at Hine Junior High School then at Eastern High School known as the “Pride of Capitol Hill.” In 1979, he became an Assistant Principal and was sponsor of many senior classes. Known as a stern man who cared about students and their futures, he was an advisor and mentor to many students, some of whom he affectionately called his adopted or “play kids.”

An active member of Turner Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, he served as a trustee, Finance Committee member and treasurer and, sang with the Men’s Choir. He loved to garden and fish and was a boat owner for many years. He also loved to take road trips, talk on the phone, listen to music, spend time with family as well as organize and attend family reunions. He had and shared great knowledge about building and fixing things, home improvement and car repair and would help family and close friends with many projects. In later years, he became the “supervisor” advising others in how to get things done.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Nathene McGill Rich, Eda May McGill, Lila Annette McGill McDowell, Sherry Ann McGill Jamison, Ida McGill Davis, Mary Cunningham Williams, Alafair Cunningham Cooper, and brothers Isaac McGill and Doward Cunningham.

He leaves to cherish his memory daughters Vicki and Monica L. McGill and Ruth Salley; God Children Burrell Jamison and Imani Beausejour; brothers Raleigh (Ruth) and Sam “See” McGill and sister Patricia McGill White; Aunt Nellie Cooper McGill Knox; brothers-in-law Willie (Mary Lee) Lindsay and Preston Jamison; and a host of nieces, nephews, close cousins, extended family and friends.