H*4940 Resolution, By G. Brown
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND EXTOL THE LONG LIFE AND OUTSTANDING WORKS
 OF MRS. LELER VIRGINIA SCARBOROUGH GEORGE OF LEE COUNTY ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION
 OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY ON NOVEMBER 16, 2003.

   03/16/04  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-2

TO RECOGNIZE AND EXTOL THE LONG LIFE AND OUTSTANDING WORKS OF MRS. LELER VIRGINIA SCARBOROUGH GEORGE OF LEE COUNTY ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY ON NOVEMBER 16, 2003.

Whereas, Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George was born November 16, 1903, to Samuel and Liddie Peterson Scarborough and married her late husband, Jimmy George, on January 11, 1920; and

Whereas, Mr. and Mrs. George began a thriving farm business that continued for more than fifty years, even after Mr. George's unfortunate and untimely death in 1945. In 1948, with exceptional courage, unending strength, and a family committed to success, Mrs. George was one of the first farmers in Lee County to update her farm from mule and plow operation to a modern farm with a tractor and other new equipment, an unimaginable feat for a widowed black woman raising nine children; and

Whereas, of Mr. and Mrs. George's nine children, all of them attended college, eight earned graduate degrees, and two earned doctorate degrees, all during a time when educational opportunities for black children were generally unattainable; and

Whereas, Mrs. George's passion for education spread throughout the George family and has also influenced her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, active in her church and community, Mrs. George has attended Saint Mark Baptist Church her whole life and has been president of the Missionary Society, president of the Floral Club, treasurer of the Sunday school, an usher, and was named church hostess responsible for bringing greetings to church visitors and selected as the Mother of the Church. She has also been active in the National Council of Negro Women and has helped with voter registration campaigns, provided services to the needy, and supported educational opportunities for minority students; and

Whereas, Mrs. George was honored in the 1980's by the Smithsonian Institute for her exemplary contribution to farm life in America and is included in a national display of farm families in the Southeast; and

Whereas, Mrs. George attributes her long life to her strong faith in God, hard work, optimistic attitude, supportive network of friends and family, and a lifelong interest in learning and appreciating new things; and

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives are proud to recognize Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George of Bishopville, a woman who has devoted her life to her family, her community, and her church, for the one hundred years that she has demonstrated strength of character, a diligent work ethic, and enthusiasm for education. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and extol the long life and outstanding works of Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George of Lee County on the joyous occasion of her one hundredth birthday on November 16, 2003.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George of Lee County.