A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ESSIE M. RICHARDS FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY AND FOR THE EXAMPLE OF A LIFE WELL SPENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS.

 

Whereas, it is fitting and proper for the House of Representatives to pause in its deliberations to commend the community service of Essie Richards. Born in White Hall, Colleton County, on January 10, 1926, Ms. Richards is the seventh of twelve children born to Elijah and Laura Richards; and

 

Whereas, reared in a loving Christian home, she was converted at an early age and joined Jerusalem African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of White Hall in 1937. After she moved to Savannah, Georgia, she united with Flipper Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, church secretary, trustee, president of the Lay Organization, president of the Flower Club, and a member of the Senior Choir and of the Missionary Society; and

 

Whereas, in 1986, Ms. Richards transferred her membership to Julia Fountain A.M.E. Church where she continued to serve in the same auxiliaries with distinction. In 2005, she returned to Jerusalem A.M.E., now White Hall A.M.E., and was appointed to the Steward Board; and

 

Whereas, she attended Pyne Elementary School in Green Pond, SC and later at Beach-Cuyler Junior and Senior High schools in Savannah, Georgia, where she ranked in the top ten of her 1945 graduating class. She received a scholarship to attend Fort Valley State College and earned a master's degree in cosmetology in 1954 from Madame B. Freeman's School of Cosmetology; and

 

Whereas, Ms. Richards was employed by the United States Air Force and then the United States Army as an office manager, retiring after thirty-five years of service. Because of her integrity, professionalism, and dedication, her service as office manager was highly respected; and

 

Whereas, she was widely known for her community activism and leadership in the Carver Heights Community. She served as community president for twenty-three years and also as community secretary and was a transformative force in making Carver Heights a thriving historic neighborhood. In 1994, she oversaw the groundbreaking of Carver Heights Community Center; and

 

Whereas, Ms. Richards played pivotal roles in such community programs as Neighborhood Watch/ National Night Out; senior citizen programs; Meals on Wheels; World Changers home repair projects; block grant partnerships; historic research initiatives; youth development and support of the Carver Heights Stallions; community beautification, "House of the Month," and block captain programs; and

 

Whereas, her decades of service earned extensive recognition from churches, civic organizations, and local and state officials, such as the Block Grant Award in 1995, Environmental Justice Pioneer Award in 1995, National Exchange Club membership and leadership honors, Resident Leadership Training and Community Development certifications, volunteer appreciation awards for senior and youth service, Retired Senior Volunteer Program Appreciation Award, and multiple certificates of appreciation from the City of Savannah and community agencies; and

 

Whereas, Ms. Richards is the mother of one fine son, Elijah Richards, who has blessed her with two loving grandchildren, Lance Richards and Kimya R. Smith. She has been pleased to see the continuation of her family legacy in three great-grandchildren: Christian Smith, Jordon Smith, and Ciara Richards; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values individuals who labor for the well-being of their communities, like Essie Richards, and the members wish her a belated one hundredth birthday and many more years of continued health and prosperity. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Essie M. Richards for a lifetime of service to her community and for the example of a life well spent for the benefit of others.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Essie M. Richards.

----XX----