South Carolina H 5266: Harold T. Brown Sympathy

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5266 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 26, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5266

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor Reverend Walter Banks White, 
a faithful teacher and pastor, for his years of service to his Rock Hill community, 
his family, and his Lord.

Whereas, Reverend 
Walter Banks White was born in Rock Hill on October 17, 1930, to the late 
Doshia Mae Miller White and Elliott Bernard White. Reared in the Boyd Hill 
community, he graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1947, where he served 
as art editor of the school newspaper; and

Whereas, after high 
school, young Walter worked various jobs in Rock Hill and Charlotte, including 
positions at Gold-Text Mill and the Charlotte Naval Ammunition Depot, and pursued 
his artistic interests by studying at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art in 
Pennsylvania; and

Whereas, feeling called 
to ministry, he was encouraged by his supportive wife to pursue formal 
education. He graduated magna cum laude from Friendship Junior College in 1957 and 
earned a bachelor's degree from Benedict College in 1959. He completed theological 
studies at J. J. Starks School of Religion and earned a master's degree in education 
from South Carolina State University in 1961. He completed additional graduate 
coursework at Winthrop University; and

Whereas, Reverend White 
began a distinguished career in education as an elementary teacher and 
assistant principal at George Fish School in Fort Mill. He taught at York Road 
Junior High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, which later became Robert F. 
Kennedy Jr. High School. He taught at Sunset Park Elementary and Rock Hill High 
School. While teaching at Rock Hill High, he co-authored We the People, 
a government textbook used district wide for seventh grade students; and

Whereas, he served as principal 
of Sunset Park Elementary School for thirteen years. Under his leadership, 
standardized test scores increased, attendance improved, parental involvement 
grew, and campus safety was strengthened. He established a student council, 
initiated an honor society, and supported an elementary band program, and he 
served as director of the Adult Education Program for three years. Reverend White 
was appointed principal of Oakdale Elementary School, where he continued his 
legacy of excellence before retiring from education to enter full-time ministry; 
and

Whereas, even while 
serving in education, Reverend White faithfully pastored churches throughout 
York and Chester counties. His pastoral journey included four years at Shady 
Grove Baptist Church in Gaffney, four years at James Chapel Baptist Church in 
Fort Mill, ten years at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Chester, twenty years at Flint 
Hill Baptist Church in Rock Hill, two years as interim at Mount Prospect 
Baptist Church, and six years at Great Joy Baptist Church in McConnells; and

Whereas, dedicated to 
his community, he served on numerous committees for the Rock Hill School 
District, the York County Planning Commission, and the City of Rock Hill 
Planning Commission. He served as secretary of the Rock Hill YMCA Board of 
Directors, where his family became the first Black family to join, and he 
served as president of the Baptist Convention of York and Chester Counties, president 
of the Sandy River Baptist Association Sunday School Congress, and a board 
member of the Catawba Regional Council of Governments; and

Whereas, Reverend White 
and his beloved wife, Helen Ruth Caldwell White, were married for fifty-seven 
years until her passing in 2011, and together they reared two fine daughters, 
Waltrina Morrietta White Barnett and Banita Doshia White Brown. His children 
have blessed him with the affection of seven loving grandchildren and five 
great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the lifelong legacy of Walter 
White and the example of faith, integrity, and leadership he has set for all 
who know him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Walter Banks White, a faithful 
teacher and pastor, for his years of service to his Rock Hill community, his 
family, and his Lord.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Walter Banks White.

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