A senate RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF Reverend thomas edison McClary AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Thomas Edison McClary on March 10, 2024; and

Whereas, a native of Kingstree, Reverend McClary was born on May 14, 1932, the seventh child to parents Charles and Merie Wilson McClary; and

Whereas, Reverend McClary graduated as the salutatorian from Tomlinson High School in 1949 before continuing his education at Allen University and earning a Bachelor of Science in 1954. On June 4, 1960, he married his college sweetheart, Beatrice Mouzon, and together they had one daughter, Jettie Marie McClary; and

Whereas, a veteran of the United States Army, Reverend McClary served with distinction in the Military Intelligence Corps, including time teaching at the Army Intelligence School in Fort Holabird, Maryland. His military career included two tours in Vietnam and service in various locations including Germany and Panama. He received many honors, including the Bronze Star, before his honorable discharge in 1974 as Master Sergeant; and

Whereas, Reverend McClary began his civilian career when he and his family settled in the Wagon Branch community of Ridgeland, and he began his dual career as an educator at Ridgeland Middle School and in ministry; and

Whereas, Reverend McClary attended seminary school and, while still a student, was asked to preach a few Sundays at St. Stephen AME Church in Hardeeville. In December 1975, St. Stephen was destroyed by fire. In January 1976, he was appointed to pastor the St. Paul and St. Stephen AME Church Circuit. The church was rebuilt by June 1976, and he was ordained an itinerant elder in 1978; and

Whereas, for thirty-three years, Reverend McClary shepherded his congregation with grace and wisdom, leaving an indelible mark on the communities of Hardeeville and Jasper County. Even in retirement from ministry and teaching in 2007, he continued his unwavering devotion to worship and service as a member of St. John AME Church in Ridgeland; and

Whereas, Reverend McClary's commitment to education and civil rights earned him numerous awards and honors, including The National Council of Negro Women's Religious Award for South Carolina and the honor of being named a Martin Luther King Honoree for Jasper County; and

Whereas, a civic leader, Reverend McClary served with many community organizations. He served on the Jasper County Council from 1994 to 2007, three times as the council's chairperson; as president of the Jasper County Rotary Club, Happy Home Lodge #125; as president of the South Carolina Education Association Retired Teachers of South Carolina; and as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the Coastal Carolina Hospital Board of Directors, and the NAACP, among other associations and organizations; and

Whereas, Reverend McClary was preceded in death by his lovely daughter, Jettie; his parents, Charles and Merie McClary; and his siblings, Hazel, Johnnie Mae, Hildonia, Edna, William Etta, David Chappelle, and Otis; and

Whereas, Reverend McClary leaves to cherish his memory his wife of sixty-four years, Beatrice; three sisters-in-law, Evarnie Mouzon, LaQuetta Mouzon, and Rose "Tiny" Jones; one brother-in-law, Tyrone Mouzon; two nieces, Sharon Boyd and Cheryl (Martin) Dopson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends. He will be greatly missed.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Reverend Thomas Edison McClary 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 of Reverend Thomas McClary.

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