S*0396 Resolution, By Patterson and Jackson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 SENATE UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF MRS. INEZ WILLIAMS BROWN OF CHARLESTON
 AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

   02/19/03  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-10

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF MRS. INEZ WILLIAMS BROWN OF CHARLESTON AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the Senate are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Inez Williams Brown on Saturday, February 15, 2003, in Charleston; and

Whereas, Mrs. Brown was born on the Blake Plantation in Colleton County. Her father, Burton, was the youngest of five children born to Sally Prince. At an early age, he married Mamie Daily, and they had five children. Inez, the youngest, was born on February 20, 1913. Before she reached her first birthday, Inez's mother died in childbirth. Her father attended South Carolina Normal Institute, now South Carolina State University. He was an ordained Baptist minister and also taught school; and

Whereas, Inez met and married Willie Williams, also a minister. They began their lives together in Hendersonville, South Carolina, later spent four years in Georgia, and settled in Charleston in 1940. They had eleven children. After the death of Reverend Williams, Mrs. Williams raised ten children by herself with the help of her eldest son, Alfred Williams and a brother-in-law, Elijah Williams. Her dedication to her family is reflective of the strong commitment exhibited by many African-American mothers; and

Whereas, after all but two of her children were adults, Inez Williams married Mr. Ed Gadsden, who died two years later. In 1981, she married Robert Brown, who passed away in 2000; and

Whereas, Mrs. Brown was active with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Senior Citizens program in Union Heights, and an avid Voter Education and participation activist. She is the Mother of her church, Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, where she has been a member for over sixty years; and

Whereas, Mrs. Brown's legacy is in the family she raised nearly on her own. Her eldest son, Alfred, is the Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church with a membership of over eight hundred parishioners. Mozell Myers is a retired schoolteacher, and a leader among ministers' wives in the A.M.E. Church. Luethel McNeil is an insurance professional and an ordained minister in New Jersey. Mildred Williams is a schoolteacher and writer in Oakland, California. Lelia Mae Daniels is in law enforcement in El Paso, Texas. Isaac "Ike" Williams, is a former South Carolina Field Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and presently serves on the district staff of Congressman James Clyburn. Ike's twin, Rebecca Small, is a speech therapist in Newark, New Jersey. Bessie Simmons is an Executive Assistant and Director of Quality Assurance for Quovadx, Inc., an information technology provider for the Medical University of South Carolina. She is also an internationally renowned poet. Gloria Edwards is a retired secretary for pediatric clinics at the Medical University of South Carolina. Susie Manning is Director of Adult Treatment Services for Richland County Behavioral Health Center of the Midlands, Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center. The youngest, Leon Williams, is a retired Warehouse Manager for the Columbia, South Carolina Housing Authority; and

Whereas, her unbounded love and extraordinary maternal sacrifice and dedication are legendary. Born the granddaughter of slaves, Mrs. Brown daily demonstrated her commitment to her family, her community, and her God throughout a long and fruitful life. Her life is both an inspiration and an example of courage to all who knew and loved her, and she will be sorely missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, express the profound sorrow of the members of the Senate upon learning of the death of Mrs. Inez Williams Brown of Charleston and extend their deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of the late Mrs. Inez Williams Brown of Charleston.