A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE MR. AND MRS. Henry Nelson Strange, ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR platinum ANNIVERSARY, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF BLESSINGs AND FULFILLMENT.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nelson Strange will celebrate their seventieth wedding anniversary on May 6, 2023; and

Whereas, born in Inman, Mr. Strange is the seventh of eleven children of Pearl and Paul Strange and attended Inman High School.  As a boy, he helped his father, a building contractor, in the construction of Holston Creek Baptist Church, Gramling Methodist Church, and some private homes in Inman; and

Whereas, Peggy Jean Humphries is the oldest of four children born to Howard and Esther Humphries in Campobello.  She went to Campobello High School where she was a member of the Future Homemakers of America and a cheerleader.  She graduated from Chapman High School's adult education program in 1974 and went on to receive her certified nursing assistant diploma from Swofford Vocational School; and

Whereas, on May 6, 1953, Nelson and Peggy Humphries pledged to one another a lifetime of love and sharing as they were joined in holy matrimony at the parsonage of Rock Hill Baptist Church; and

Whereas, Mr. Strange served in the South Carolina National Guard and worked in textiles for over thirty years before starting his own paving and grading business.  He sang tenor for the Masters' Singers Gospel Quartet and served as a music director, deacon, and Sunday school teacher for Bethel Baptist, Parkway Baptist, Jackson Memorial, and New Hope Baptist Church, spanning over fifty years; and

Whereas, when their children were in school, Mrs. Strange worked with her aunt as a professional seamstress to decorators in the Spartanburg area.  She made beautiful bedspreads, pillows, draperies, table linens, and wedding décor, and some of her draperies were pictured in Architectural Digest; and

Whereas, they raised apples, Angus beef cattle, and a large vegetable garden each year.  They continue a family tradition of canning, freezing, pickling, drying, and preserving the food they grow.  They have many "adopted" children and grandchildren and still keep a few cows and a donkey named Elvis; and

Whereas, together they reared Laura, Paul, and Debbie, their three fine children, teaching them to work hard, love the Lord, and serve others.  They have been blessed to see the continuation of their lifelong godly legacy in two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  That legacy extends beyond church activities: their family sees them reading the Bible, praying, and ministering to the needs of others; and

Whereas, no success on earth authenticates a life as does a marriage that endures the test of time and grows stronger with each passing year.  Through hardship and blessings, Jesus has been at the center of their marriage and continues to make their house a home; and

Whereas, Nelson Strange has learned the veracity of the proverb, "Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the Lord," and he now considers one of his crowning achievements as having had the good sense to marry his beloved Peggy; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to honor this son and daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of their seventieth anniversary and join with their family and friends in congratulating them 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 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nelson Strange, on the occasion of their platinum anniversary, and extend best wishes for many more years of blessings and fulfillment.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nelson Strange.

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