S*0293 Resolution, By Fanning
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND NORRIS B. TURNER UPON HIS
 RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF EXEMPLARY MINISTRY, AND TO WISH HIM
 CONTINUED HAPPINESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   01/24/17  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 20)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR REVEREND NORRIS B. TURNER UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS OF EXEMPLARY MINISTRY, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED HAPPINESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that Reverend Norris Turner will be honored at a retirement celebration at Gethsemane Baptist Church, February 18, 2017; and

Whereas, born in the small South Carolina community of Troy, he was the oldest of six children of the late Johnnie and Helen Chiles Turner. He joined Troy Bethel AME Church at an early age and graduated from Brewer High School in Greenwood; and

Whereas, in addition to active church ministry, he belonged to the nationally acclaimed Gospel Singers. Mr. Turner gave up singing nationally when he returned to Greenwood in 1960 and married his beloved wife, Ella Mae Watson Turner. Their marriage was blessed with two fine daughters, Cassandra and Sharon; and

Whereas, he joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Greenwood, organized Mt. Moriah Gospel Chorus, and began traveling, singing, recording, and hosting TV Gospel shows. After being called to ministry, he was licensed to preach in 1981, ordained in 1982, and graduated from Morris College School of Theology in 1988. He served as pastor of Antioch and Mt. Herman Baptist churches; and

Whereas, as the pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Blair from 1997 until his retirement in 2016, he embodied his faith in the words, "The Lord is my life and my salvation, whom shall I fear?"; and

Whereas, the Senate values the years of devotion that Reverend Norris has devoted to his church and his God and wishes him years of enjoyment in his retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognizes and honors Reverend Norris B. Turner upon his retirement after thirty-five years of exemplary ministry and wishes him continued happiness in his future endeavors.