TO CONGRATULATE VIOLA WILLIAMS-THOMAS, A NATIVE OF JASPER COUNTY, ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY, AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Viola Williams-Thomas, a native of Jasper County, will celebrate her one hundredth birthday on June 9, 2012; and
Whereas, born on Mackey's Point Plantation in Jasper County to Ben and Ella Williams, young Viola came into this world on June 9, 1912, in the early part of the twentieth century, and she has been witness to many of the incredible changes and developments that have come to this nation from that time into the twenty-first century; and
Whereas, she and her husband, Horace Thomas (deceased), were married in 1938 and raised a fine daughter, Ruthie L. Capers, who has given her parents the joy of four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, over the course of her working life, Mrs. Williams-Thomas labored in cotton fields, cooked on plantations, babysat, and did whatever she could to help support the family; and
Whereas, a woman of faith, she joined Rosemary Baptist Church in Point South in 1925, where she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher, president of the charity board, and member of the senior choir. She still attends church whenever she is able and believes in putting God first; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives is pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her one hundredth birthday and joins 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 Viola Williams-Thomas, a native of Jasper County, on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday, and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and continued health and happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Viola Williams-Thomas.