South Carolina H 5298: Christy Hall, retirement

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5298 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 03, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5298

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF Dennis Carroll 
Ballentine, to EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON his PASSING, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY 
TO HIS LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death 
of Dennis Carroll Ballentine at the age of seventy-nine on Thursday, February 
26, 2026; and

Whereas, born in Columbia, 
he was the son of the late Ena Trussell Ballentine and the late Bernard Carroll 
Ballentine of Columbia and was reared in a loving home with his brother, the 
late Doug Ballentine; and

Whereas, Mr. Ballentine 
graduated from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia and earned a bachelor's 
degree from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, in the 
patriotic tradition of the sons of South Carolina, he served in the United 
States Navy during the Vietnam War with the Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong 
Delta. During his military service in Vietnam, he was awarded two Bronze Stars 
and the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V. After four years of military 
service, Mr. Ballentine received an honorable discharge and later received the 
Quilt of Valor; and

Whereas, Mr. Ballentine 
became a certified public accountant (CPA) with S.D. Leidesdorf National CPA 
firm and then became vice president of finance with Hewitt Coleman and 
Associates. Later he owned his own CPA practice, Clarke and Ballentine LLC, 
renamed Ballentine and Hodges LLC, before retiring in 2013; and

Whereas, an active and 
faithful member of Taylors First Baptist Church, he served the congregation as part 
of the church's security team and as an usher. He served in various church 
ministries, including as a coach for a boys' basketball team, Royal Ambassador 
leader, marriage small-group facilitator, Intercessory Prayer member, and finance 
committee member; and

Whereas, dedicated to 
his community, Mr. Ballentine served on the board for the Taylors Free Medical 
Clinic, on the board of the Paraclete Foundation, the Greenville Estate 
Planning Council, and the finance committee at the Poinsett Club. He generously 
supported World Vision and the North Greenville University Christian Ministry 
Scholarship Fund and served on the latter board of directors. He was a member 
of numerous professional and civic organizations; and

Whereas, together with 
his beloved wife of fifty-six years, Mitsy Winburn Ballentine, he reared a fine 
son, Representative Nathan Ballentine of Chapin. His son blessed him with the 
affection of two loving grandchildren, JC and Emma of Chapin, who affectionately 
called him "Big D." Mr. Ballentine's family circle was enlarged by his in-laws: 
Gail Ballentine of Auburn, Georgia; John Winburn of Greer; and Reverend Bob 
Clarke of Alpharetta, Georgia. Included in that circle were several nieces, 
nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and

Whereas, in his free 
time, he enjoyed spending time with Mitsy at their condo in Garden City. He was 
an avid Gamecock fan and a proud grandpa, and he read his Bible every day; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and 
legacy of Dennis Ballentine and for the example of service, dedication, and 
faith he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, remember and celebrate the life of Dennis Carroll 
Ballentine, express their profound sorrow upon his passing, and extend their 
deepest sympathy to his loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dennis Carroll 
Ballentine. 

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This web page was last updated on March 03, 2026 at 01:06 PM