TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF BISHOP COLIE LEE LORICK, SR., OF LEXINGTON COUNTY, AND TO HONOR HIS REMARKABLE COMMITMENT TO GOD, HIS FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND COUNTRY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Colie Lee Lorick, Sr., at the age of eighty-eight on March 20, 2017; and
Whereas, born in Lexington County on May 5, 1928, to Pearline Sutton Livingston and Haskell Robinson, Colie was adopted by his great uncle and aunt, Isaiah and Leola Lykes Lorick, who were already the parents of five daughters. Desiring a son, their adoption of Colie made their family complete; and
Whereas, Colie graduated from North Industrial Institute in Orangeburg. After finishing school, he served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army. On October 22, 1946, Colie was united in marriage to Elease Porterfield, his beautiful high school sweetheart. They enjoyed seventy years together, becoming so united that they finished each other's sentences and were even known to dream the same dream on any given night; and
Whereas, just as Abraham was called by God to leave his country and his family, the hand of the Lord rested upon Colie. His heart stirred to move his family to Columbia, and in November 1950, he relocated his wife and three young girls to Columbia. In 1951, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the age of twenty-three. He served the churches of Holy Ghost Station and Mount Sinai as deacon, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and youth president. After very faithful service in these roles, he answered the call to preach in September 1962; and
Whereas, Colie acted as an associate minister for two years at Mount Sinai Holiness Church. While serving, Colie, along with Bishop A. C. Jackson and Bishop Willie Spann, were instrumental in the implementation of an organization called "Youth Progress for Christ," which was comprised of eight Apostolic churches in the Columbia-Cayce area. It was designed to enhance wholesome activities and fellowship among apostolic young people. It was through this organization that the concept of combined choirs in the Columbia area was introduced; and
Whereas, in May 1965, Colie was ordained by Bishop Randolph A. Carr and was installed as pastor of the Rehoboth mission. After years of dedicated service to the Lord, he was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 1979. His path led him to become the Diocesan of the Northern Diocese for a year and Diocesan over Florida for an additional year. In 1980, Colie was appointed to the South Carolina Diocese, and in 1992, he was given the position of Vice-Presiding Bishop of the United Church. After serving in this capacity for six years, he was promoted to the position of International Director of Auxiliary and Committee Personnel for the United Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic; and
Whereas, on April 2, 2001, Colie retired as pastor of Rehoboth, after committing thirty-seven years of service to the church. However, his community involvement never wavered. He served on several boards and working agencies, including The Black Adoption Agency, The Columbia Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Billy Graham Crusade Committee, and several more too numerous to list. Furthermore, he was instrumental in the launching of Columbia's first black-owned, full-time gospel radio station, "The Gospel Highway", WTGH AM 620; and
Whereas, Colie leaves many loving family members to cherish his legacy. With his beloved wife, he raised, educated, and spiritually nurtured nine children, who instilled the same unwavering values in seventeen grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the life of Bishop Colie Lee Lorick, Sr., and for the example of sacrifice and kindness he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, remember and celebrate the life of Bishop Colie Lee Lorick, Sr., of Lexington County, and honor his remarkable commitment to God, his family, community, and country.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bishop Colie Lee Lorick, Sr.