S*904 Session 109 (1991-1992)
S*0904 Resolution, By C.T. Hinson
A Senate Resolution to express the deepest sympathy of the members of the
Senate to the family and friends of Mr. Lafayette B. Belk, Sr., of Lancaster
upon his recent death.
04/18/91 Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-3
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE SENATE TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MR.
LAFAYETTE B. BELK, SR., OF LANCASTER UPON HIS RECENT
DEATH.
Whereas, the members of the Senate were deeply saddened to learn of
the recent death of one of Lancaster County's and the State of South
Carolina's most distinguished citizens, Mr. Lafayette B. Belk, Sr.; and
Whereas, he was born in 1918, grew up in Lancaster, and was a cum
laude graduate of Allen University in 1939. He taught in the Lancaster
schools, until his acceptance at Officer Candidate Training School at Ft.
Benning, Georgia, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant
in 1943. He served both stateside and in the South Pacific, and rose to
the rank of captain before his honorable discharge in 1946. He returned
to Lancaster and teaching, while continuing to further his education. He
received a Master of Education degree in 1949 and his career as an
educator spanned thirty-nine years; and
Whereas, Mr. Belk served his county and State in countless ways,
including being appointed to the board of the Lancaster County
Department of Social Services in 1984, and being elected vice-chairman
in 1988, a position which he held until his death; and
Whereas, he also served his fellowman as a member of the Elliott White
Springs Memorial Hospital board of trustees, and treasurer of the East
Precinct of the Lancaster Democratic Party. Mr. Belk formerly held
positions on the Lancaster County Library Board of Trustees, the
Lancaster County Planning and Zoning Commission, where he served
for twelve years, four of those as chairman, the Catawba Planning
Council, and an executive member of the Criminal Justice Advisory
Council; and
Whereas, Mr. Belk is credited with several firsts in the black
community: first Army captain in World War II, president of the LCEA,
first black member of the board of Elliott White Springs Memorial
Hospital, and first and only high school principal in Lancaster County;
and
Whereas, he was above all a loving husband to his beloved wife, Mary
Zenobia Harrison Belk, and a good father to his three children, and
seven grandchildren. His civic dedication and leadership will be sorely
missed in Lancaster County and throughout the State of South Carolina;
and
Whereas, the members of the Senate, by this resolution, would like to
extend their sincere condolences to the family and friends of this truly
fine man upon his death. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate hereby express their deepest sympathy
to the family and friends of Mr. Lafayette B. Belk, Sr., of Lancaster
upon his recent death.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to his
widow, Mrs. Mary Zenobia Harrison Belk.
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