Bill Text: SC H5351 | 2017-2018 | 122nd General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Lucille Wiggins Collins Gaines
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 79-44)
Status: (Passed) 2018-05-01 - Introduced and adopted [H5351 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2017-H5351-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE LUCILLE WIGGINS COLLINS GAINES OF CHARLESTON COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Lucille Wiggins Collins Gaines of Charleston County celebrated her one hundredth birthday on April 28, 2018; and
Whereas, born on April 28, 1918, in the early part of the twentieth century, she has witnessed many remarkable social changes, technological advancements, and international developments that have spanned the globe from that time into the second decade of the twenty-first century; and
Whereas, born in Charleston, Lucille Wiggins was the daughter of Steven Wiggins and Mary Bennekin Wiggins of Berkeley County, both of whom died shortly after her birth. She was reared by her grandfather, Willie Bennekin, in a family of farmers and was educated in Berkeley County Schools; and
Whereas, during her seventh grade, work on the farm and in her home necessitated that she discontinue her formal education to help full time on the farm, but her rich experiences growing up in a Christ-centered household molded her Christian character; and
Whereas, in 1935, she met and married her beloved first husband Isaac "Guster" Collins from Cross, and together they reared nine Collins children: Mary "Trick," Elizabeth "Norlee," Jeanette, Onetha "Nita," Isaac "Brother," Rose Marie "Ree," and Bernice "Bernie," as well as Louis and Ruthie who are deceased; and
Whereas, Mr. Collins moved to Charleston to find adequate work for his growing family, and in 1940, the family joined him in Charleston to live in the Accabee section of Charleston Heights, and they became members of Jerusalem Baptist Church; and
Whereas, after almost three decades of marriage, Mr. Collins passed away. Ten years later in 1974, she was blessed with another devoted companion, Cleveland "Dec" Gaines, and his daughter, Jessie Mae, along with her family, were added to the large Collins' clan. They were married for more than two decades until Mr. Collins died; and
Whereas, she became active with the Charleston County Senior Citizens Program as a foster grandmother, and without a license or formal training, she taught a sort of mathematics by her example, not in a school classroom but in her community, when she added the values of love and hard work to her life; subtracted a can't-do attitude from her mind; multiplied these concepts in her home, church, and community; and divided them among her children; and
Whereas, today, she is devotedly active in her church and her North Charleston neighborhood, surrounded by her children and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, teaching them her pet saying, "Be lovin', be lovin', be lovin'"; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her one hundredth birthday and 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 Lucille Wiggins Collins Gaines of Charleston County on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Lucille Wiggins Collins Gaines.
