A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Missionary Linda Dingle Gadson OF charleston COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LOVING FAMILY AND Her MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Missionary Linda Dingle Gadson on June 29, 2026; and

 

Whereas, born and reared in Hollywood on Yonges Island, she was the daughter of the late Julius Thomas Dingle and the late Annabelle Pinckney Dingle and was reared by her maternal grandmother, the late Emily Judge Simmons. She received her early education in the Charleston County public schools, and upon entering high school, she was thrust into pioneering work of desegregation and graduated from the predominantly white Saint Paul's Parish High School. In 1972, an Eleanor Roosevelt Scholar, she was the first Black woman to earn a bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston; and

 

Whereas, with plans to enter law school in the fall of 1972, Mrs. Gadson took a summer job at Rural Mission Inc. on Johns Island, a grassroots, human services agency, and the job significantly changed the course of her life from the practice of law to the vocation of a selfless humanitarian. She served God and God's people for forty-seven years "serving the least of these" at Rural Mission Inc., ending her career as the Rural Mission executive director; and

 

Whereas, the arms of Rural Mission and of Linda Gadson have stretched from providing hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless, shelter to the homeless, respite from the scorch of heat for migrant children, educational opportunities to the disadvantaged, and advocacy for the marginalized, to providing a satellite worship center on Tuesdays for any and all in the on-site chapel; and

 

Whereas, recognized for her outstanding commitment to serving by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping the blind to see beyond their natural eyes, encouraging the lame to walk even in valleys of despair, and opening doors of employment for many, Mrs. Gadson received many awards, most notably, the Order of the Palmetto in 2010, which is the highest civilian award presented by the governor of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, affectionately known as "Mother Gadson," she was a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church and served the congregation and community in leadership and service. In 1986, she invented Big Mama, Mama & Me Anointing Oil, which has been used across America for prayer and for pain; and

 

Whereas, together with her beloved husband, the late Honorable Herbert Gadson who was the first Black mayor of Hollywood, she reared three fine children: Reginald Gadson, a bus driver for the CARTA Company; the Reverend Telley Lynnette Gadson, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving as a district superintendent and a leadership development coach; and Shaytee Herbert Abraham Gadson, a literacy coach. Shaytee was a 2015 winner of The Harlem International Film Festival for Best Screenplay, whose book, Hallelujah! In Hollywood: A true Hollywood story, was endorsed by Oscar winner Susan Sarandon. Mrs. Gadson was blessed to see the continuation of her loving family legacy in two adoring granddaughters, Quati LeNay and Qynn LeShay; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Linda Gadson and for the example of unwavering faith, devotion to prayer, and the spirit of Mother Teresa 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 Missionary Linda Dingle Gadson of Charleston 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 Missionary Linda Dingle Gadson.

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