South Carolina H 3942: Judge qualifications

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3942 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 11, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 3942

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 
SOUTH CAROLINA General assembly UPON THE PASSING OF Betty Ann Williams 
Henderson OF Orangeburg COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER 
LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly were saddened to learn of the death of Betty 
Ann Williams Henderson at the age of seventy-eight; and

Whereas, born in Branchville 
on January 1, 1947, she was the youngest of ten children born to the late 
Nuncie and Sallie Williams. Educated in Orangeburg County and New York City 
public schools, she completed IAOO coursework at The Citadel and the University 
of South Carolina, as well as business courses at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical 
College; and 

Whereas, Mrs. 
Henderson's life of service began when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed 
into law, followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Orangeburg County-Wide 
Concerned Citizens organization was founded during her fifty-year advocacy of 
voter education/registration, and she served as its co-chair. She was a 
founding member of Concerned Citizens of District 93, currently known as 
District 66, serving as its first treasurer; and

Whereas, she was the 
first African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the Town Council 
in Branchville, where she served twelve years, and ten years as mayor pro tempore. 
She was a founding member of Orangeburg County Family Health Center; a member 
of Orangeburg County Department of Social Services Board; Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg 
(OCAB) Adult Literacy Board; The Regional Medical Center Board; chair of the 
Strategic Planning and Facilities Committee; and former CASA Family System 
Board. She was a member of the NAACP; and

Whereas, as a licensed real 
estate appraiser, Mrs. Henderson was employed at The Davis Law Firm in Orangeburg 
as a legal assistant for more than fifteen years. Prior to retiring in 2018, she 
served for twenty-eight years as a tax assessor of Orangeburg County. She was 
the first African American female assessor in South Carolina and the only 
African American to be inducted into the South Carolina Association of 
Assessing Officials Hall of Fame. She served her profession as vice president of 
the Executive Board of Directors of the South Carolina Association of Assessing 
Officials; and

Whereas, Mrs. Henderson 
served for twenty years as chair of the Orangeburg County Democratic Party, 
founding the party's first cook-off, which became an annual event and a major 
fundraiser, attracting local and national Democratic leaders. Under her 
leadership, voter participation became a top priority, and Orangeburg hosted then 
Senator Barack Obama, a presidential candidate, at Claflin University and was the 
host county for the first 2008 presidential debate. In 2018, she was named 
chair emerita of the Orangeburg Democratic Party, and the party renamed their 
renowned cook-off in her honor; and

Whereas, a faithful 
member of Canaan Baptist Church in Branchville, Mrs. Henderson served the 
congregation as budget chair, hospitality chair, and program committee member, where 
she was recognized as a trailblazer, an entrepreneur, a visionary, and a 
servant leader; and

Whereas, her community 
service was recognized with a plethora of awards, yet she found time to rear 
three fine children: Sheila, Ernest, and Kathy. Her children blessed her with 
four loving grandchildren: Reginald Jr., Kimberly, Ernest II, and Michael; and 
two great-grandchildren, Sol and Ivy; and 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the life and legacy of Betty 
Henderson and for the example of service and love she set for all who knew her. 
Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General 
Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of 
Betty Ann Williams Henderson of Orangeburg County and extend their deepest 
sympathy to her large and loving family and her many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this 
resolution be presented to the family of Betty Ann Williams Henderson.

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