A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF HEMINGWAY NATIVE BESSIE W. "BESS" BALL, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of Bessie W. "Bess" Ball, a native of Hemingway, on April 23, 2023, at the venerable age of ninety-three; and

Whereas, born on January 30, 1930, Bess W. Ball came into this world in Hemingway, grew up in Marion, attended college in Atlanta, Georgia, and Durham, North Carolina, and then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to marry her Marion, South Carolina sweetheart, the late Richard A. Ball. Together, Bess and Richard raised two children. In 2021, Bess moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, to reside with family; and

Whereas, she started her career as a dressmaker while still in college and as a substitute teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. In 1969, Mrs. Ball began her communications career through the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) as an assistant director of Consumer Information Services. After ten years with PGW, Mrs. Ball moved on to the Campbell Soup Company as supervisor of Radio and Television Publicity, followed by Health Service Plan of Pennsylvania as director of Public Relations. Under BG&R Associates, Mrs. Ball served a diversity of clients. She spearheaded a $2.2 million grant for the Town of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. She increased the municipality's tourist trade by 40%. BG&R Associates' public service announcements produced for the School District of Philadelphia won the 1986 Award of Excellence and the Gold Medallion Award from the National School Public Relations Association. Bess retired as president of BG&R Associates and Tri-State Minority Yellow Pages, Inc., in 2007; and

Whereas, Mrs. Ball is the recipient of many awards for her contributions and work, including the Black New Jersey Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Cigna/Power 99 "Sistas" Award for Excellence in Business, Philadelphia Congress of the National Political Congress of Black Women Award for Outstanding Achievement in Communications within the Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania Women's Business Shining Stars Award, and National Coalition of 100 Black Women (Pennsylvania Chapter) 1995 Madame C.J. Walker Award. In 1998, the African American Legends Hall of Fame welcomed Bess W. Ball; and

Whereas, in service to both her community and profession, Mrs. Ball shared her expertise as a member and board representative of many organizations, including the Experiment in International Living, Cobbs Creek Skate House in the Park, North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, and American Women in Radio and Television (member, chapter board member, and chapter president), to name a few; and

Whereas, with a heart of gold grounded in the Christian faith, this entrepreneur, trailblazer, risk-taker, leader, mentor, and adventurer left the legacy of a life well lived; and

Whereas, Bess Ball leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Gay M. Ball-O'Brien (Thomas P.); her son, Richard A. Ball II (Deborah); her granddaughter, Aja Bradley; two great-grandchildren, Jayden Bradley and Jayla Holloman; and other loving family members and friends. She will be missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Hemingway native Bessie W. "Bess" Ball, celebrate her life, and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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