A house RESOLUTION

to express the profound sorrow of the members of the south carolina house of representatives upon the passing of Joy Shannon Pryor of Charleston County and to extend their deepest sympathy to her large and loving family and her many friends.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joy Shannon Pryor on February 1, 2025, at the age of seventy; and

Whereas, born on March 6, 1954, she was educated in the public schools of Charleston County, graduating from North Charleston High School; and

Whereas, Joy then continued her education at Benedict College in Columbia, where she graduated in 1976 with a degree in Sociology. She continued her educational pursuit, earning a masters in clinical counseling from The Citadel Military College; and

Whereas, Joy began her career in education as a teacher at German's Day School.  She later taught in the Charleston County School system at Ben Tillman Elementary School. With a love for children and helping others, she later joined the City of Charleston's Job Training Partnership Act Division, spending over a decade as a Counselor for the Youth Employment and Training program. She later joined the South Carolina Department of Social Services as a case worker in the Child Support and Adoptions departments until her retirement in August 2019; and

Whereas, during her years at Benedict College, she joined the Benedict College Gospel Choir.  They would travel near and far to share the gospel through songs. After Joy graduated from college, she and several of her college mates returned to Charleston and founded The Voices of Deliverance gospel group.  Joy was true to her name, spreading joy through her beautiful voice. For forty-five years, her gospel group left their worldwide concert audiences with a spiritual experience.  Joy's rendition of "Oh Happy Day" was always a crowd favorite; and

Whereas, Joy was a founding member of the Charleston Actors Theatre Society (CATS), a local ensemble that performed during countless Spoleto events and on other local stages. She was also an original member of Rivers & Company Band, which performed throughout the Lowcountry and the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, Joy was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, initiated in the Psi chapter at Benedict College in 1974.  After college, she joined the Gamma Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., serving in many leadership roles. She received the Middleton Oglesby Human Relations Award for years of community service within the chapter. In 2024, she earned gold member status with fifty years of service to her sorority and mankind; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Joy Shannon Pryor and for the example of service and kindness 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 the profound sorrow upon the passing of Joy Shannon Pryor of Charleston County and extend their deepest sympathy to her large and loving family and her many friends.

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

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