South Carolina H 5152: Reduction of Sentences for Substantial Assistance

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5152 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 11, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5152

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 HONOR THE LIFE OF DOREATHA 
GILLIS-BISHOP AND TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH 
CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS UPON HER 
PASSING.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives learned with deep sorrow of the 
passing of Doreatha Gillis-Bishop on January 25, 2026, at the venerable age of 
one hundred eleven; and

Whereas, born the 
daughter of Daniel Alexander Gillis and Lucy Ellen Davis Gillis, Doreatha 
Gillis-Bishop came into this world on December 20, 1914, in Aiken County's Old 
Ellenton. Blessed to be part of a large family, her siblings were Mary and 
Martha (twins), Beatrice, Florence, Lelia Mae, Fred, Murray, Joseph, and Willie 
Lee; and

Whereas, the young 
Doreatha began her formal education at Great Cypress Church School and 
furthered it at Butler School in Barnwell. At an early age, she was converted 
and baptized and became a member of Great Cypress Missionary Baptist Church, 
where she sang in the Senior Choir. Ultimately, she became the oldest member 
and Mother of the Church; and

Whereas, on December 5, 
1936, Doreatha was united in marriage to Blake Bishop Sr., and over the years 
the two welcomed into the family eight children: Richard, William Henry, Annie 
Mae, Blake Jr., Willie Lee, Willie Mae, Maryann, and, sadly, a stillborn baby 
girl; and

Whereas, in addition to 
serving her church, Doreatha served her community as the oldest member of the 
St. John Benevolent Society and Pride of Barnwell OES #77 in Barnwell. She also 
was honored and given a plaque on February 4, 2023, as the oldest living member 
of District 10, Order of the Eastern Star PHA; and

Whereas, she further 
served at the Barnwell County Nursing Home for many years as a nurse assistant; 
and

Whereas, having such a 
sweet, beautiful spirit, she was loved by everyone who knew her. She was the 
matriarch of Turner Street, and the honorable name "Mother" was placed on her 
by all, especially the children of Turner Street, where she resided for years. Her 
affection for the children showed in her everyday life when she would let them 
gather in her home to keep them out of the elements. She fed them toast and 
jelly while they waited at the school bus stop on Reynolds Road; and

Whereas, Doreatha loved 
canning her vegetables, making lye soap, sewing quilts, and working in her 
flower garden, and she loved her cats. She also relished having her children 
around her. Because the family grew so large, there were numerous reunions, 
birthday parties, and celebrations of all kinds that gifted the entire family 
with many precious memories. Doreatha dressed in blue for many of these events 
because blue was her favorite color; and

Whereas, Doreatha 
Gillis-Bishop leaves to cherish her memory four children, William Henry Bishop, 
Annie Mae Fluitt, Willie Lee Bishop, and Maryann Frank; nineteen grandchildren; 
twenty-two great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and a host of 
other dear family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved 
husband, Blake Bishop Sr.; sons Blake Bishop Jr. and Richard Bishop; and 
daughter Willie Mae Sellars. Greatly loved, she will be greatly missed. 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 honor the life of Doreatha Gillis-Bishop and 
express their deepest sympathy to her family and many friends upon her passing.

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 February 11, 2026 at 01:33 PM