A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE DOROTHY LOUISE WILLIAMS "DOT" THORNE, A NATIVE OF SUMTER COUNTY, ON THE OCCASION OF HER 81ST BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, on July 23, 2024, Sumter County native Dorothy Louise Williams "Dot" Thorne will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: her 81st birthday; and

Whereas, Dot Thorne was born in rural Sumter County on July 23, 1943, to Norris Houston and Sallie McFadden Williams. She often credits her sharecropper parents with giving her a strong foundation; and

Whereas, she attended the local public schools, graduating from Eastern High School in 1962, and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science from Morris College and a Master of Education from Cambridge College; and

Whereas, Dot spent thirty-five years serving as an educator in the South Carolina public school system, where she was elementary-certified to teach all subjects. She worked for Sumter District 2 and Clarendon District 1, retiring from Scotts Branch Middle School in 2006 as a fifth-grade social studies teacher; and

Whereas, having given her life to Christ at the age of 10, Dot became a lifelong member of Mulberry Missionary Baptist Church. She has served there in a variety of capacities, including church clerk (over thirty-six years), president of the Mulberry Missionary Baptist Usher Board (more than fifty years), Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, member of the Finance Committee, church historian (authored the church history), vice president of the adult choir, church bus driver, and many other posts. Dot also spent over forty years serving in the Wateree Baptist Association Lower Division; and

Whereas, further, Dot has been engaged with her local community, holding membership in numerous community organizations. She has been a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Zeta Omega Chapter, since 2000. She has served as chapter hostess, chaplain, member of the Cotillion/Beautillion Committee, and co-advisor for the undergraduate chapter at Morris College. She also has been active in the Eastern School Alumni Association, serving as Alumni Weekend chairperson, as well as serving on the Planning Committee, Alumni Choir, and Scholarship Committee. She has held membership in the Sumter NAACP, Morris College Alumni Association, and SCEA (Sumter County, retired) and has served as secretary of the One More Effort Federated Club, Sumter Chapter; and

Whereas, Dot was united in marriage with James Benjamin Thorne (now deceased) in 1969, and they shared three children: Dr. Sonji Williams Garvin Baxter (Reverend John), Glendaria Carmoleita Thorne Smith, and Leneric Kinard Thorne. She is the proud grandmother of eight: Reginald, Kambrell (Monique), Raphael, Miguel, Lawanda, Leneric, Jacson, and Sonia. In addition, she is the doting great-grandmother of three: Wrenley, Hasiley, and Kaelynn. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football and basketball, traveling, cooking, crafting, making floral arrangements, decorating, and spending time with family; and

Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her 81st birthday and a delight to join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Dorothy Louise Williams "Dot" Thorne, a native of Sumter County, on the occasion of her 81st birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dorothy Louise Williams "Dot" Thorne.

----XX----