A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF MR. JOHN WILLIAM RAMSEUR, SR., OF ROCK HILL, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, 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 by the passing of Mr. John William Ramseur, Sr., of Rock Hill on January 10, 2023, at the age of eighty-seven; and

Whereas, born on February 22, 1935, in Rock Hill, Mr. Ramseur was the son of James Henry and Loretta E. Mobley Ramseur; and

Whereas, a trailblazing leader in the mortuary business in South Carolina for decades, Mr. Ramseur was the owner and manager of Robinson Funeral Home in Rock Hill, which has served York County for one hundred twelve years. It is one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in Rock Hill, if not the oldest. One of Mr. Ramseur's five children, Monique Ramseur, now runs the business, which remains a pillar of York County's business and social community; and

Whereas, Mr. Ramseur handled thousands of funerals for families throughout his career, which spanned changes from segregated funeral homes to a more equal and open society. A graduate of Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, and a U.S. military veteran, he was the first Black president of the South Carolina Board of Funeral Service; and

Whereas, during his decades of service, John Ramseur also served on Rock Hill's parks and recreation board, as well as the board of Rock Hill's Clinton College, and assisted others in business and commerce. He received numerous awards for his philanthropy and outstanding service to the community and the funeral service profession; and

Whereas, preceded in death by both his first wife, Essie Porter Ramseur, and his second wife, Edna J. Ramseur, John Ramseur leaves to cherish his memory his children, Geoffrey D. Ramseur, Michele D. Ramseur, J. Monique Ramseur, Dawn R. Blair (Forsheé), and John W. Ramseur, Jr. (Demethria); his grandchildren, Deanene Porté Thornwell Harvey (Crayman), Camille L.S. Ramseur, Bryan D. Ramseur, Ahmad F. Blair, John W. "Trey" Ramseur III, Miles D. Ramseur, and Sydney A. Blair; his great-grandchildren, Brennan M. Thornwell, Porter A. Harvey, and Sloan A. Harvey; and a host of other family members and friends. 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 Mr. John William Ramseur, Sr., of Rock Hill, celebrate his life, 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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