A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE ROSALEE COAXUM OF CHARLESTON COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER 91st BIRTHDAY and TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, on June 30, 2024, Rosalee Coaxum of Charleston County will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: her 91st birthday; and

Whereas, a longtime resident of Mount Pleasant, Rosalee Coaxum came into this world on June 30, 1933. In the fullness of time, she met and married John "Johnny" Coaxum, Sr. (now deceased), the Lord blessing the couple with six children, Nathaniel (now deceased), JoAnn, John, Mark, Julie, and Sarah, who have given their parents the joy of numerous grandchildren; and

Whereas, as a leader in the Mount Pleasant community who has been instrumental in supporting the sweetgrass basket weavers and artists, Rosalee Coaxum has been promoting the tradition for nearly eighty years and continues to be a leader and driving force in her community. She has been sewing sweetgrass baskets since she was seven years old, following in the tradition of her mother, her grandmother, and her family before them; and

Whereas, she was always making baskets, even when she was serving as a career nurse in the 1960s and while she was with the South Carolina Department of Social Services for twenty-three years. When she retired in 1994, she felt she could not just sit at home and do nothing, so she started sewing sweetgrass baskets and selling her handiwork, working out of a small stand made of two-by-fours and plywood on the shoulder of the northbound lane of Highway 17. Rosalee Coaxum is the type of person who must be productive, so she keeps on going; and

Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her 91st birthday and a delight to join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this important life 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 Rosalee Coaxum of Charleston County on the occasion of her 91st 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 Rosalee Coaxum.

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