S*0805 Resolution, By Hutto and Washington
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES OF THE
 MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO THE BELOVED MRS. SARAH MAE MCCRADY
 LAWTON OF ALLENDALE COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

   06/03/97  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-69

TO EXTEND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE TO THE BELOVED MRS. SARAH MAE McCRADY LAWTON OF ALLENDALE COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

Whereas, the late Phillip and Elizabeth McCrady were blessed with the birth of their youngest daughter, Sarah Mae McCrady, in Old Barnwell County, now Allendale County, near the Barton Community on September 18, 1897; and

Whereas, both of Sarah's parents died when she was only a few years old and following their death, her eldest sister, Lillie Mae Kirkland and Lillie Mae's husband, Frank Kirkland, brought Sarah into their home and raised her. Several years passed before Lillie and Frank had children, which meant Sarah spent her younger years alone. However, as fate may have it, this time of isolation prepared Sarah for the life of seclusion and solitude she now lives; and

Whereas, Mrs. Lawton was married to the late Reverend Asbury Lawton, Sr., and they were blessed with seven children, of which three are now deceased; she is the grandmother of twenty-one grandchildren and raised two of her granddaughters; and

Whereas, Sarah spent her entire adult life on the family farm with her husband and seven children. She believed in working hard and saving -- she taught these qualities to her children; and

Whereas, being a product of times when an education was not as important as being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Mrs. Lawton taught her children how to succeed and the importance of an education; and

Whereas, all seven of her siblings graduated from high school and four of the children continued their education by earning college degrees; and

Whereas, one son, Colonel Willie O. Lawton, has retired from the United States Army, and he is now Dean of Continuing Education at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, where he and his wife, Edna, own and manage Lawton Travel Agency; and

Whereas, another son, Henry C. Lawton, Sr., was a teacher, principal, and administrator in Jasper County until he retired. He also served on the South Carolina Highways and Public Transportation Commission for several years. On February 28, 1986, the Henry C. Lawton Highways and Public Transportation Building located in Ridgeland, South Carolina, was named and dedicated in his honor; and

Whereas, her son, Asbury Lawton, Jr., is an actuary in Augusta, Georgia. He worked for years with the Pilgrim Life and Health Insurance Company; and

Whereas, her daughter, Janie Glencamp, taught school in Estill, South Carolina, where she retired some years ago; and

Whereas, twelve of Mrs. Lawton's twenty-one grandchildren are college graduates and are gainfully employed; and

Whereas, one granddaughter, Jeannette, now resides with Mrs. Lawton and works at Westinghouse-Savannah River Site located in Barnwell and Aiken Counties; and

Whereas, a great granddaughter, Julie Lawton, received her Law Degree in Jurisprudence in May 1997 from Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C.; and

Whereas, Mrs. Lawton enjoys singing and when she is doing her chores you can hear her beautiful, soft soprano voice joyfully singing "Amazing Grace", "Rock of Ages", and the list goes on and on; and

Whereas, many families who live in the Appleton Community where Mrs. Lawton lives have benefited from her generosity. Her earlier years of deprivation has made her very sensitive to the needs of others; and

Whereas, her perseverance and diligence in promoting self-esteem, success, and affection has won this dear and caring woman the love and admiration of all whose lives touched hers. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, extend sincere congratulations and best wishes to the beloved Mrs. Sarah Mae McCrady Lawton of Allendale County on the occasion of her 100th birthday celebration.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Sarah Mae McCrady Lawton.