A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Rena Brown Johnson OF Jasper COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are delighted to learn that the loving family and friends of Rena Brown Johnson will celebrate her one hundredth birthday on June 1, 2024; and

Whereas, born on May 29, 1924, in the first quarter of the twentieth century, Mrs. Johnson has witnessed the many remarkable social changes, technological advancements, and international developments that have spanned the globe from that time into the first quarter of the twenty-first century; and

Whereas, the daughter of Thomas and Emma Brown, she was born at Guerard's Point in Jasper County. Without a license or formal training, Mrs. Johnson taught a sort of mathematics through her example, not in a school classroom but in her community, when she added the values of love and hard work to her life; subtracted a can't do attitude from her mind; multiplied these concepts in her home, church, and community; and divided them among her children; and

Whereas, a lifelong resident of Jasper County living in the Okatie area, she worked as a housekeeper for Betsy and John Sturgeon of the famous Rose Hill Plantation, as the head cook of Chelsea Day Care Center, and as a housekeeper for various families on Hilton Head Island; and

Whereas, a lifelong member of Bethlehem Baptist Church as well, Mrs. Johnson was bestowed the honor of "Mother of the Church"; and

Whereas, she married the late Clifford Johnson on September 7, 1942, and they were married for fifty years before his death in September 1992.  Together they reared four fine children who blessed them with the affection of six adoring grandchildren.  She has enjoyed seeing the continuation of her loving family legacy in sixteen great-grandchildren and fourteen great-great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her one hundredth birthday and join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this extraordinary centennial milestone. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Rena Brown Johnson of Jasper County on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Rena Brown Johnson.

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