A house RESOLUTION

To recognize and honor Dora Ann White of Greenwood County for her commitment to her God and to His calling on her life.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Dora Ann White, a ninety-three-year-old minister of the Gospel, has served her God faithfully for her whole life; and

Whereas, born at Brewer Hospital in Greenwood on January 14, 1931, she is a beloved daughter and the second-youngest child among her seven brothers and five sisters of the late Bertha Tolbert and Eddy "Ed" Tolbert, who was a devoted Christian and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

Whereas, Mrs. White's sister Elizabeth Richardson, who resides in New York, is her only sibling still living. Having grown up in a family deeply rooted in the Christian faith, she was profoundly influenced by her father's calling as a preacher; and

Whereas, she attended Brewer High School, but in her senior year, she moved to Florida to care for her ailing aunt, where she completed her education at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg; and

Whereas, on July 3, 1949, at the age of nineteen, she married the late Wiley White in Greenwood. They were married for sixty-six years until his death in 2016, at the age of eighty-eight. Together they reared five fine children: Annie "Doris" Brooks, Yvonne Louden, Wayne White, Wiley White, Jr., and Cynthia White Williams; and

Whereas, their children blessed them with the love of eighteen devoted grandchildren, and they were able to enjoy seeing the continuation of their loving family legacy in thirty-two great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, embracing her faith wholeheartedly, Mrs. White trained extensively in ministry schools and workshops, breaking barriers as one of the first female Baptist ministers under the guidance of Pastor Ed Johnson, the president of the South Carolina Education Missionary Convention. She became a trailblazer for women aspiring to preach by ministering in prisons, nursing homes, and the streets of Greenwood; and

Whereas, her commitment to spreading the Gospel included teaching Bible classes at Morris Chapel Baptist Church, where she also trained ushers and served as interim pastor under the leadership of Reverend Johnson; and

Whereas, her passion to see people trust Jesus Christ as savior, touched the lives of many, inspiring many to embrace salvation and live a life devoted to Jesus. She preached in prisons in Columbia and Greenwood, served on the board of directors at Lee Correctional Institution, and ministered in nursing homes for two years, singing and preaching to both the patients and staff; and

Whereas, Mrs. White is adored for her unwavering dedication to her family and to spreading the Gospel and for empowering others to find solace and salvation in Jesus Christ. The House of Representatives is grateful for her legacy of touching countless lives with the hope found in her Savior. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dora Ann White of Greenwood County for her commitment to her God and to His calling on her life.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dora Ann White.

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