TO CONGRATULATE MRS. WILLIE BESSIE LANGFORD OF JASPER COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Mrs. Willie Bessie Langford of Jasper County will celebrate her one hundredth birthday on April 16, 2017; and

Whereas, born the fourth of six children to Manning Seabrook Smith and Leila Reddish Smith, the young Willie came into this world in Colleton County on April 16, 1917, when the twentieth century was still in its youth, and she has been witness to nearly all the incredible changes and developments that have come to this nation from that time into the second decade of the twenty-first century; and

Whereas, on May 28, 1938, she married Leon Langford, Sr., and began fifty-one years of marriage to the love of her life. A daughter, Bobbie, was born in 1936; in 1947, twin sons, James Hamilton ("Hammie") and Leon, Jr., joined their sister. These children became their mother's pride and joy. A dearly loved matriarch to her family, she is "Momoo" to her seven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, besides raising her family, caring for her in-laws, working full-time for more than thirty years as city clerk and treasurer for Ridgeland, and participating in both religious and social organizations, Ms. Billie, as she is known to many, kept the cleanest and most organized home imaginable. She still gardens daily, with a focus on her flowers; and

Whereas, this resident of the South Carolina Lowcountry has lived in Ridgeland for about eighty-three years. Ms. Billie dwelt in the same home in that town for nearly three quarters of a century until four years ago, when she moved to the home of Leon and Kathy Langford, her son and daughter-in-law, in Tillman; and

Whereas, as a woman of faith, Ms. Billie found her spiritual home at St. Paul's Methodist, which remains an important part of her life. It is rare indeed for one not to find her in her pew on Sundays; and

Whereas, life has thrown her quite a few curves. For nearly six decades, Ms. Billie has been a breast-cancer survivor with no chemotherapy or radiation, and her courage has served as an inspiration to others. Her strong faith and the love and devotion of her family have pulled her through all the bumps in life's journey; and

Whereas, to honor her at this very special time in her life, family and friends will join with her to celebrate her one hundredth birthday on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Great Swamp Baptist Church. Rumor has it that she will celebrate by demonstrating to all present how to dance the Charleston; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives is proud to honor this truly lovely lady at the celebration of her one hundredth birthday, and the members join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Mrs. Willie Bessie Langford of Jasper County on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Willie Bessie Langford.