A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF LEADER, EDUCATOR, AND CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE FREDDIE LEE WOOLFORK OF GIFFORD, FLORIDA, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of leader, educator, and civil rights advocate Freddie Lee Woolfork of Gifford, Florida, on March 11, 2026, at the venerable age of seventy-four; and

 

Whereas, Freddie Woolfork was born December 21, 1951, in segregated Gifford, Florida, where the futures of most children growing up in the majority-Black town were restricted to picking citrus in the groves or working in the tomato fields or packing houses. Freddie was determined not to work in the citrus fields; and

 

Whereas, instead, in preparation for a bright future, the young Freddie graduated from Vero Beach High School, Class of 1970 (for which he composed the class song), earned a college degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (where he played trombone in the "Incomparable Marching 100" band), and returned to Gifford, where he became a community activist, leader, organizer, teacher, and deacon at his church. His childhood in the Jim Crow South compelled him to push for truth and justice even into his final years; and

 

Whereas, Freddie Woolfork devoted twenty-nine years of his life to the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC), an educational nonprofit geared toward underserved students. He served as its director of public relations and facilities operations, tirelessly laboring to increase Indian River County's Black graduation rate. Since the time he came on board with GYAC in 1997, the nonprofit has helped boost the Black graduation rate from 23% to 90%; and

 

Whereas, although his main passion was education, he was involved in everything from the Progressive Civic League of Gifford to the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce to the Indian River County NAACP, in which he served as a life member. He was known by friends and colleagues as someone who could broach difficult topics while maintaining the respect of those in power; and

 

Whereas, Freddie Woolfork leaves to cherish his memory his family and friends, as well as a host of other admirers, both near and far. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those whom he blessed with his life of selfless service, and he will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of leader, educator, and civil rights advocate Freddie Lee Woolfork of Gifford, Florida, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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