South Carolina H 5686: Ideal Funeral Home

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5686 Text of Previous Version (May. 12, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5686

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 THE FOUNDERS AND OWNERS OF IDEAL FUNERAL PARLOR IN FLORENCE COUNTY FOR EIGHTY 
YEARS OF DEDICATION IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO CONGRATULATE 
THEM FOR SETTING AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTERPRISE IN THE 
PEE DEE. 

Whereas, the members of 
the House of Representatives value the exceptional mortuary services of Ideal 
Funeral Parlor for eight decades in the Florence community; and

Whereas, established in 
1939, Ideal Funeral Parlor has proudly served the Pee Dee region for over 
eighty years in order to provide dependable service to the community and to 
serve families during times of loss; and

Whereas, Ideal Funeral 
Parlor was founded by Reverend W. S. Guiles, Reverend Arthur James, Reverend 
and Mrs. Willie A. Johnson, Reverend J. L. Brooks, Mr. Flander Singleton, and 
Mr. Jasper Singleton. These were strong men and women who had vision, identified 
a need, and took action; and

Whereas, Reverend W. A. 
Johnson was named the manager and remained in that position until his death in 
1961. The first building was located at 300 Mullins Street in Florence. Upon 
the death of Reverend Johnson, Rufus Hawkins was named the manager. During his 
tenure, the business continued to grow and prosper; and

Whereas, in 1968, the 
physical location was relocated to 1005 E. Cheves Street in Florence. In 1996, 
R. Douglas Hawkins became the general manager. In 2002, Ideal Funeral Parlor 
was blessed to move into a state-of-the-art modern facility at 106 E. Darlington 
Street in Florence; and

Whereas, Ideal Funeral 
Parlor is a proud example of African American business owners coming together 
and working together to support and inspire others. Ideal Funeral is the anchor 
business of the Historic African American Business District in the city of 
Florence. Its legacy and consistency have inspired and helped other small and 
minority businesses to grow and succeed; and

Whereas, Ideal Funeral boasts 
a history always driven to meet the needs of families and the community in good 
times and bad times. God has blessed Ideal with over eighty years of service. The 
owners and staff are grateful to serve and be a part of their community. 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 the founders and owners of Ideal 
Funeral Parlor in Florence County for eighty years of dedication in meeting the 
needs of their community and congratulate them for setting an example of successful 
African American enterprise in the Pee Dee.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Ideal Funeral Parlor.

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This web page was last updated on May 12, 2026 at 12:37 PM