A house RESOLUTION

To congratulate Alfreda "Freda" F. Crum upon the occasion of her retirement from the South Carolina House of Representatives clerical support services, to extend deep appreciation for her THIRTY-FIVE years of exemplary service, and to wish her a satisfying and rewarding retirement.

Whereas, born in Columbia, Alfreda "Freda" F. Crum is the oldest of nine children born to the late John and Maria Foster. She grew up in Cayce where she was raised by her grandmother, Mrs. Hattie Foster. A 1970 graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, she went on to attend Benedict College and Midlands Technical College. In 2003, she graduated from the Morris College Ministerial Certificate Program, and in 2012, she was conferred the Doctor of Divinity degree by the Great Commission Bible College; and

Whereas, her thirty-five years of service to the State started at the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, followed by four years with then Lieutenant Governor Nick Theordore's office. Her final twenty-eight years were served with the South Carolina House of Representatives' Clerical Support Services; and

Whereas, a woman of faith, Freda began singing gospel at the age of fourteen and ministered through song throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio, and California. She spent thirty-nine years in the quartet ministry before retiring as a member of the Anointed Angels of Columbia. In 1994, Freda was licensed to preach by the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Columbia, where she would later serve as an associate minister, and she was ordained by the Gethsemane Baptist Association in 1995. Additionally, she was a volunteer for Sistercare, Inc., and was a member of the Speakers Bureau, addressing organizations, churches, and halfway houses on domestic violence. In 2001, she founded the New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Baptist Church and earned the title Pastor Emeritus. The church was incorporated by South Carolina Secretary of State Jim Miles; and

Whereas, for the great effort she has put into every aspect of her life, Freda has earned high recognition and numerous awards. They include the South Carolina ACORN 2007 Award in Recognition of Generosity in the Community and the 2023 Ministerial Award by the Lexington Branch NAACP #5669, being selected as a nominee for the Governor's Commission on Women 2001 Woman of Achievement award, and being listed among the Outstanding Young Women of America and Outstanding Young Christian Women of America; and

Whereas, Freda is married to Albert L. Crum and is the mother of four daughters: Scheri, Eboni, Chariti, and Destini. The family now includes grandchildren Justin McKie, Jade Eichelberger, Elaena Myers, and Zarah Elise Spann, and son-in-law Joshua Spann. The South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to recognize the outstanding public service that she has rendered to the State of South Carolina and wish her a peaceful retirement spent with family and friends. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Alfreda "Freda" F. Crum upon the occasion of her retirement from the South Carolina House of Representatives Clerical Support Services, extend deep appreciation for her thirty-five years of exemplary service, and wish her a satisfying and rewarding retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Alfreda "Freda" F. Crum.

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