A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Reverend Dr. Mary Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire, OF richland COUNTY AND to EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Dr. Mary Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire, at the age of seventy-three on Monday, February 9, 2026; and

 

Whereas, a native of Columbia, she was born on September 19, 1952, the youngest of sixteen children of the late Harvey D. and Ruth Ford Myers; and

 

Whereas, from an early age, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery committed her life to serving the Lord. She was baptized at Zion Baptist Church in Columbia where she remained an active and faithful member throughout her life. She served the congregation by singing with the youth choir and the Inspirational Singers and working with the Scholarship, Publicity, Historical, and Enrichment committees; and

 

Whereas, educated in Richland County District One schools, she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School with honors in 1970. She earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina. In 1987, she earned a Master of Laws in International Law from Georgetown University while earning a Master of Divinity from Howard University. She studied international ministries at Mansfield College at Oxford University in England; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery graduated from Howard University with a perfect 4.0 GPA and received fellowship in the Benjamin E. Mays Fund for Theological Education, listing in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, membership in Kappa Tau Alpha National Journalism Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence from Howard University School of Divinity; and

 

Whereas, her storied career included service as an assistant United States attorney in the United States Department of Justice during the Reagan Administration under Attorney General Edwin Meese. She served as a federal judicial clerk for the Honorable Matthew J. Perry, an account executive for Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company, a staff writer for the Associated Press in Charlotte, communications law professor at Howard University, and a reporter for three newspapers; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery was among the Daughters of Zion, women of Zion Baptist Church who defied tradition to proclaim the Gospel and pursue ordination, and was ordained into the Gospel ministry on June 8, 1986. She served as pastor of Burroughs Memorial Baptist Church in Columbia and taught biblical literature and ethics at Claflin University; and

 

Whereas, combining her knowledge of international law and theology, she designed and led a South African foreign missions project through Gethsemane Baptist Church in Washington, D. C., providing food for starving children. She was a frequent guest speaker at churches and served as president of Seek Peace and Pursue It Ministries, Inc., and led S-P-A-P-I Publishing Company; and

 

Whereas, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery dedicated her time to teaching children to read and write through Dees Tutoring and offering pro bono legal services. Married to the late Moses Montgomery, she leaves two siblings, Thomas J. Myers and Andrea L. Myers-Davis, to cherish her memory, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Mary Montgomery and for the example of service and devotion she set for all who knew her. 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 Reverend Dr. Mary Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire, of Richland County and extend their deepest sympathy to her loving family and her many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Reverend Dr. Mary Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire.

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