South Carolina General Assembly
119th Session, 2011-2012

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Bill 5352


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE REVEREND BERTHA LEE BRYANT-GIVENS, A NATIVE OF GREEN POND, FOR HER MANY YEARS OF GOSPEL MINISTRY AND TO WISH HER GOD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS AS SHE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to nurture the souls of men; and

Whereas, the Reverend Bertha Lee Bryant-Givens, a native of Green Pond, stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel, one much admired by clerical colleagues, laymen, and the surrounding community alike; and

Whereas, born to Jake and Rebecca Girardeau Bryant on March 31, 1921, the young Bertha was the second of seven children. Her childhood and schooling came to a halt when she realized how difficult it was for her mother to work, manage the home, and care for the family. The young Bertha quit school to assist her mother in her labors; and

Whereas, in 1957, she joined Mt. Olive AME Church, where she has been an active member of the senior choir, stewardess board, and Women's Missionary Society (president for sixteen years), as well as a class leader. Ordained as an African Methodist Episcopal local elder in 1979, she serves as assistant pastor at Mt. Olive AME Church; and

Whereas, at the age of ninety-one, Reverend Givens continues to maintain an active farm and several acres of garden. She has sponsored a Harvest Day Program for the past thirty years, during which she shares the bounty of her homegrown harvest. Each year, one hundred fifty families and senior citizens receive a harvest basket from her garden; and

Whereas, she also creates and delivers handmade quilts and lap throws to senior citizens in her community; and

Whereas, married in 1941 to Sam Givens (now deceased), she and her husband became the proud parents of eight children, who have given their mother and father the joy of seventeen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. This devoted couple additionally served as foster parents to more than thirty-five foster children; and

Whereas, noted as a humble, courageous woman of Christian character, one of whom it truly may be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant," Reverend Givens has demonstrated to others how to be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord"; and

Whereas, in recognition of her many years of fruitful ministry, Mt. Olive AME Church and the Green Pond community will honor Reverend Givens on Sunday, June 24, 2012, at a special celebration of her life and work; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives, cognizant of her many years of spiritual nourishment of the people of South Carolina, expresses its grateful thanks to Reverend Givens and wishes her God's best as she continues to run the race the Lord has set before her. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the Reverend Bertha Lee Bryant-Givens, a native of Green Pond, for her many years of Gospel ministry and wish her God's richest blessings as she continues to serve the Lord.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the Reverend Bertha Lee Bryant-Givens.

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