South Carolina H 4861: Larry Phillip Bradley

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4861 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 14, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4861

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE 
PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE HERBERT GADSON, FORMER MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF 
HOLLYWOOD, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS 
FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing 
of the Honorable Herbert Gadson, former mayor of the Town of Hollywood, on 
January 2, 2026, at the venerable age of seventy-seven; and

Whereas, born on 
September 22, 1948, Herbert Gadson was the son of the late Rufus and Bernice 
Brisbon Gadson and the late Charles Ernest and Viola Brisbon Gadson. He 
received his early education in the public school system of Charleston County 
and graduated from Baptist Hill High School with honors as valedictorian of the 
Class of 1967. His strong convictions about the gift of education led him to 
earn both his bachelor's degree (1971), as well as a master's degree (1974), at 
South Carolina State College in the area of industrial arts education. On June 
16, 1972, he wed Linda Dingle, and Herbert and his new bride were blessed with 
a fine family of three children and two grandchildren; and

Whereas, in 1989, this 
Lowcountry legend and civil rights pioneer was elected the first African 
American mayor of the Town of Hollywood, but his trailblazing had begun long 
before his years as mayor (1989-2003). In 1968, he and a dozen other South 
Carolina State University students attempted to desegregate Orangeburg's 
All-Star Bowling Alley, and he was beaten with a club at that time by police. 
Days later, during the Orangeburg Massacre on February 8, 1968, he was shot by 
police. When he died decades later, the bullet from that Orangeburg encounter 
was still lodged in his hip; and

Whereas, having taken 
up his duties as mayor, Herbert Gadson battled the crack cocaine crisis 
gripping the county and his town. He also played a large role in building 
Hollywood's infrastructure, bringing water and sewer services to Hollywood in 
1993 when no one thought it was possible. He was a man for all seasons, a titan 
in his town and beyond. Ultimately, his touch affected many lives because he 
worked in such a way as to make all citizens of his rural community feel as if 
they had a place at the table; and

Whereas, Herbert Gadson 
leaves to cherish his memory his children, Reginald Everett Gadson, the 
Reverend Telley Lynnette Gadson, and Shaytee Gadson; his grandchildren, Quati 
LeNay Woodberry-Gadson and Qynn LeShay Woodberry-Gadson; and a host of other 
family members and friends. The people of South Carolina were made better by 
his influence and will greatly miss his impactful presence. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the 
Honorable Herbert Gadson, former mayor of the Town of Hollywood, celebrate his 
life, and extend their deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

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

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This web page was last updated on January 14, 2026 at 03:18 PM