South Carolina H 4882: Dr. Reginald Thackston Retirement Resolution

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4882 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 14, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4882

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE REVEREND DR. THOMAS 
REGINALD "REGI" THACKSTON FOR HIS DECADES OF DEDICATED GOSPEL MINISTRY AND 
Lifetime of public service across south carolina, TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE 
OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM THE LORD'S RICHEST BLESSINGS IN THE 
DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, it is entirely appropriate to honor those individuals who give 
selflessly of themselves to shepherd the souls of men. The Reverend Dr. Thomas 
Reginald Thackston, minister at Santee Summer Ministries, known lovingly as 
"Boat Church," stands high as an outstanding servant of the gospel and leader 
of the people, whose ministry, advocacy, and volunteerism have impacted 
countless lives throughout South Carolina; and

Whereas, Dr. Thackston graduated from Wofford College in 1956 and earned his 
divinity degree at Candler School of Theology from Emory University in 1961. He 
was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater, Wofford 
College, in 1995; and

Whereas, over the course of more than four decades, Dr. Thackston faithfully 
served seven churches across South Carolina from 1956 to 1997. Early in his 
ministry, he initiated and led the city council in Conway, organizing its first 
biracial committee which enabled the city and county to have a peaceful merger 
of Horry County's schools; and

Whereas, in Horry County, Dr. Thackston initiated a reentry program 
for short-term prisoners in the county jail, aiding the individuals in their 
reintroduction to society by providing access to clothing, transportation, 
food, and job interviews upon their release; and

Whereas, his service to the community has reached far beyond church 
doors, as Dr. Thackston has served as the chairman of the Belin Board of 
Trustees in Murrells Inlet, secretary on the Board of Trustees at Wofford 
College, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Epworth Children's Home in 
Columbia, and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sewee Coastal Retreat 
Center; and

Whereas, Dr. Thackston has displayed his dedication to supporting the 
education of future generations, as he was a vital part of the reignition of 
the Sumter Touchdown Club, which has since grown into the largest scholarship 
organization for high school football players in a four-county area. He also 
funded an endowed scholarship at Wofford College; and

Whereas, after his retirement from the itinerant ministry, he served as 
the United Methodist Church Conference Coordinator against Video Poker and the 
Lottery, traveling the State speaking and championing ethics and public 
accountability. He also served as interim minister for churches in Conway, 
Manning, and Sumter. Since 1999, Dr. Thackston has faithfully led the loved 
"Boat Church," serving twenty-five consecutive summers until the present time; 
and

Whereas, his legacy of service has been formally recognized in recent 
years. In November 2024, Dr. Thackston was honored as the Alston Wilkes Society 
Volunteer of the Year. In February 2025, he received the Governor's Lifetime of 
Service Award, with the press release reading: "A lifelong advocate for 
education, reentry programs, and racial reconciliation, Dr. Thackston has 
dedicated his life to building bridges, mentoring youth, and supporting 
communities in need across South Carolina," noting his lifelong commitment to 
serving this great State; and

Whereas, cognizant of his many remarkable contributions graciously 
given to the people of South Carolina, the House takes great pleasure in 
expressing grateful thanks to Dr. Thackston, whose life has embodied the 
principles of justice, mercy, and service, and in wishing him God's best as he 
continues to run the race the Lord has set before him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of 
Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House 
of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the Reverend Dr. Thomas 
Reginald "Regi" Thackston for his decades of dedicated gospel ministry and 
lifetime of public service across South Carolina, congratulate him on the 
occasion of his retirement, and wish him the Lord's richest blessings in the 
days ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to 
the Reverend Dr. Thomas Reginald "Regi" Thackston.

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