A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE ERNEST "CROSBY" LEWIS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, A FORMER MEMBER OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE; TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE; AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Ernest "Crosby" Lewis of Fairfield County on May 9, 2023, at the venerable age of eighty-nine; and

Whereas, born in his family's Fairfield County log cabin on March 4, 1934, Crosby came into this world the son of Nell and Ernest Van "Brick" Lewis. Later in Crosby's youth, the family moved to Newberry and then to Columbia as his father pursued a career as a statewide and national leader with the Electric Cooperatives. From his days as a Boy Scout in Newberry, where he proudly achieved Eagle Scout status, to his days as quarterback under Lynn Kalmbach's Dreher High School football team, the friends he created as a young man were friends for life, a testament to his steadfast loyalty, which defined him; and

Whereas, Crosby later attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship and was coached by Rex Enright. After the young athlete suffered an injury, Coach Enright encouraged him to attend law school at the university, from which he graduated in 1958; and

Whereas, he and his dear friend Robert "Bobby" Kneece formed a law partnership shortly after their bar admission. Crosby went on to found several law firms, but practicing alongside his brother Dan Lewis was the time he enjoyed the most. Crosby was considered an exceptional attorney among his peers and a fierce competitor in the courtroom; and

Whereas, while practicing law, Crosby also pursued a diligent life of public service as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, first representing Richland County (1960-1964) and later Fairfield County (1983-1989). During those years, he served as vice chairman, chairman, and trustee of the South Carolina State Board of Education; a trustee of Columbia College; trustee of MUSC; and member of The Citadel Board of Visitors. He also served as chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party during Governor Robert McNair's term, among other positions of service. However, one of his proudest moments of service was his contribution to the passage of the Education Improvement Act, a hallmark of Governor Richard Riley's term. He was later awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor James Hodges and proudly served on the South Carolina Governor's Mansion Committee during Governor Hodges' term. He also served as a captain in the United States Army; and

Whereas, in 1970, Crosby returned to Fairfield County after the purchase of a historic property, later named Fairfield, where he lived for nearly fifty years. He was at his happiest at this 18th-century property, working in the gardens, hunting turkeys, and researching the deep history of Fairfield County, which will forever be his home; and

Whereas, predeceased by his parents, Nell Brooks and Ernest Van Lewis, as well as his four siblings, Judith, Sally Kohler (Bill), Dan, and Wally, Crosby leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of over fifty years, Cleo; his four children, Lisa, Allyson (Tony), Ernest Crosby "Brick," Jr. (Edith), and Gage (Courtney). He is also survived by his brother Joe and his beloved grandchildren, Drew Taylor, Grace Meyer, Catherine Meyer, Katie Geer (Lyles), Ernest "Crosby" Lewis III, Wells Lewis, Pearson Lewis, and Nell Lewis; and a host of other family members and friends. This native son, attorney, and South Carolina statesman will be greatly 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 the Honorable Ernest "Crosby" Lewis of Fairfield County, a former member of the South Carolina House; celebrate his life; and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

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

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