S*0967 Resolution, By J. Matthews
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE EVELYN BENNETT GUILE ON THE OCCASION OF
 HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND
 MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

   02/06/18  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 6)

TO CONGRATULATE EVELYN BENNETT GUILE ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

Whereas, Mrs. Guile was born in Florence to the late Naomi Lane Bennett and Norfal Bennett on February 11, 1918. She is a loving sister to her siblings, John, William, Bert, Norfal, and Odessa. She was united in holy matrimony on June 18, 1936, to the late Earl Ernest Guile. They were blessed with two children, Georgia and Earl Ernest. She is now the dedicated matriarch of eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren; and

Whereas, Evelyn has been an active member in her church, New Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Florence and committed her life to service through many roles. She is a member of the Missionary Society, Lay Organization, Stewardess Board, and the Richard Allen Club. She rarely misses a church event, and the church has even personalized a parking spot for her; and

Whereas, aside from her church clubs, she is the Board President of the Ideal Funeral Home, board member of over forty-five years of the Pee Dee Regional Council, board member of the Historical Society Committee, charter member of Saturday Night Bridge Club, life member of the NAACP, and a member of the Garden Club. She has a very competitive spirit and finds herself at the Parks and Recreation facility two to three times per week to play canasta, bridge, and pinochle; and

Whereas, during the civil rights struggle, Evelyn and Earl opened their home to many civil rights workers, including such leaders as Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Mitchell to support the cause. During Earl's eighteen years as president of the Florence branch of the NAACP, her support enhanced his ability to actively work in the civil rights struggle. Evelyn has spent a lifetime working to improve the quality of life for African Americans in South Carolina, enduring through many threats; and

Whereas, having opened the first sewing shop in the area, she has been called the Betsy Ross of South Carolina for making the Centennial Banner for Florence County, which hung for many years at the courthouse. Throughout her life, she has exhibited and shared her many talents, including clothing and hat design, macramé, decoupage, cake decorating, ceramics, and painting. Her art pieces are impressive and have resulted in several awards; and

Whereas, she has travelled all over the United States and world, visiting all seven continents. She has extensively travelled throughout Africa, Europe, India, Australia, China, and Suriname. She particularly enjoyed her six-week drive around the coast of Africa in a motor home with a group, navigating and assisting in the over five-thousand-mile drive at the age of seventy-eight. Another treasured memory is her educational tour of China, which included seeing the Great Wall and the Terra-Cotta Army. While there, she attended cooking and craft classes. Her exposure to the culture and display of artistic work influenced her later interest in china painting. Evelyn is committed to continuous learning, taking many classes in subjects such as computers, auto mechanics, cake decorating, and stocks and bonds, to name a few. She encourages all around her to strengthen themselves through education. At one hundred years old, Evelyn still lives alone and drives around town to participate in her many activities; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of this milestone on February 10, 2018. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Evelyn Bennett Guile on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Evelyn Bennett Guile.