TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR GLORIA GENTRY SHACKELFORD, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER TWENTY YEARS OF EXEMPLARY AND STEADFAST SERVICE AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SATISFACTION AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly have learned that Gloria Shackelford will begin a well-deserved retirement after twenty years as a highly regarded Administrative Assistant for the South Carolina Legislative Council; and

Whereas, born in Charleston, she is the daughter of the late Dorothy and Jack Gentry. As a young child, she moved with her family first to Greenville and then to the Columbia area, and she graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in Cayce; and

Whereas, in 1978, Ms. Shackelford earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina with a dual major in office administration and in public relations and advertisement. She has remained a die-hard fan of Gamecock athletics; and

Whereas, before joining the staff of the South Carolina Legislative Council, she served as the office administrator in the law offices of Glenn Irvin Murphy Gray & Stepp; and

Whereas, Gloria married her beloved husband, Paul Keith Carter, in 1992, and together they love traveling, especially to the beach, and spending time with family. She is the proud mother of two fine children, Terry L. Shackelford and Robin A. Shackelford; and

Whereas, Ms. Shackelford is a devoted member of St. Andrews Baptist Church and very involved in numerous actives with her Sunday school class. Her firm yet simple faith in the strong hand of God has carried her through the vicissitudes of life; and

Whereas, motivated by her own love of reading, she plans to spend many gratifying hours of retirement helping adults learn to read and acquire a high school diploma through her church's GED program and in helping adults to learn and speak English through an adult literacy program. She also plans to continue her flower gardening and to put her feet up on the beach and catch up on her reading; and

Whereas, her colleagues will miss Gloria's thoughtful prayers before office feasts, her joyful laughter, and her joie de vivre within the halls of Legislative Council, as well as her enthusiasm about St. Patrick's Day, which kept her green, literally, right down to her fingernails; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the years of unparalleled dedication that Gloria Shackelford has devoted to the South Carolina Legislative Council and wish her many years of enjoyment in her well-deserved retirement. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Gloria Gentry Shackelford for her exemplary and steadfast service to the South Carolina Legislative Council and wish her many years of happiness and satisfaction in her well-deserved retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Gloria Shackelford.