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S. 852

STATUS INFORMATION

Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator McLeod
Document Path: l:\council\bills\rt\17217wab18.docx

Introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2018
Adopted by the Senate on January 9, 2018

Summary: Willie Dell Grimes

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
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    1/9/2018  Senate  Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 80)

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VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

1/9/2018

TO APPLAUD AND ADMIRE MRS. WILLIE DELL GRIMES FOR SHOWING A DEDICATION AND TENACITY THAT FEW EVER FIND AND TO CONGRATULATE HER FOR OBTAINING HER HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

Whereas, the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina find it altogether fitting and proper to pause in their deliberations to recognize and laud the exemplary achievements of Mrs. Willie Dell Grimes, who has exhibited a single-minded determination to ensure she receives the education she has always deserved; and

Whereas, Willie Dell was born in Denmark, South Carolina on September 15, 1933, to the late Ellis Pauls and the late Sentarian Bardlaven Pauls Johnson. She lived in Poplar Grove, nine miles outside of Bamberg and was raised by her grandparents, the late Mack Bardlaven and the late Susie Jefferson Bardlaven. Her small community only offered classes through seventh grade. After this milestone was reached, students were required to commute to Bamberg to continue their education. Willie Dell, committed to her education and driven by a desire to be a school teacher, had no way of making the journey and was forced to temporarily suspend her education; and

Whereas, she went on to marry Jack E. Grimes, and over the course of the next seventeen years, she had twelve cherished children. Her emphasis on education never dwindled and she saw to it that ten of her children graduated from high school, went on to higher education, and began such careers as military service, horticulturist, firefighter/paramedic, ministers, nurses, counselors, business owner, financial manager, industrial personnel administrator, and educator; and

Whereas, Willie Dell's family has since grown incredibly to now include twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, all of whom are carrying on the tradition of getting a stellar education; and

Whereas, Willie Dell spent thirty-five years raising her brood and continued to care for her husband of forty-two years, until he passed away in 1991. It was then that Willie Dell decided it was time to go back to school and finally earn her high school diploma; and

Whereas, with the encouragement of her children and grandchildren, Willie Dell steadfastly pursued this dream. In 1993, she started night classes at the W. R. Rogers Adult Education Center in Richland School District 2, and in 1999, Willie Dell earned her high school certificate, signifying that she had successfully completed the classwork requirements for a high school degree; and

Whereas, in 2014, with the passing of new legislation, Willie Dell was able to apply for her high school diploma with the help of Richland 2. After years of hard work and overcoming obstacles, Willie Dell finally received her high school diploma at a Richland District 2 board meeting in August 2017; and

Whereas, Bobby Cunningham, principal of W. R. Rogers Adult Education Center, describes Willie Dell as "a model example of lifelong learning. She makes Richland 2 proud to have been a part of her story"; and

Whereas, the accomplishment Willie Dell Grimes has achieved at the age of eighty-three is a shining example of what passion and fortitude can achieve. After raising a large and healthy family, Willie Dell still sought to better herself through education and attain a goal that she had held close for many years. The Senate of South Carolina is proud to be able to call this woman a daughter of the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, applaud and admire Mrs. Willie Dell Grimes for showing a dedication and tenacity that few ever find and congratulate her for obtaining her high school diploma.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Willie Dell Grimes.

This web page was last updated on January 16, 2018 at 2:44 PM