South Carolina H 3672: Medal of Valor recipient Rollins Rhodes

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 3672 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 15, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 3672

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 SOUTH CAROLINA 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE KAY PATTERSON 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 Kay Patterson of Richland County, on December 13, 2024, at the 
venerable age of 93; and

Whereas, the son of 
James and Leila Patterson of Darlington County, Kay Patterson was born on 
January 11, 1931, and reared by his grandmothers, Mrs. Meta B. Patterson and 
Mrs. Emma Joseph; and

Whereas, having 
graduated from Sumter's Lincoln High School in 1949, the young Kay Patterson 
attended Claflin College. This patriotic son of South Carolina served in the 
United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953, attaining the rank of sergeant; 
and

Whereas, in 1956, he 
earned a bachelor's degree at Allen University, after which he pursued further 
education at Temple University. In 1971, he earned a master's degree in 
education at South Carolina State College; and

Whereas, as an 
educator, Senator Patterson taught for fourteen years at W.A. Perry Middle 
School, C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, and Benedict College. He next served 
for sixteen years as a UniServ representative with the South Carolina Education 
Association, from which he retired in June 1986; and

Whereas, a man of 
faith, Kay Patterson served the Lord as a member of St. Luke's Episcopal 
Church, where over the years he was senior warden, secretary, and treasurer of 
the church's vestry. Because he believed strongly in service to his community, 
he also was involved in many civic and community organizations, such as the 
North Columbia Civic Club and the NAACP; and

Whereas, Senator 
Patterson was elected in 1974 to the South Carolina House of Representatives, 
where he served for ten years representing District 73. In 1985, he began 
twenty-three years of service to the people of Senate District 19 in Richland 
County; and

Whereas, he served on 
numerous committees, including Banking & Insurance, Corrections & 
Penology, Education, Finance, and Transportation, and he served as commissioner 
for the South Carolina Department of Highways and Public Transportation; and

Whereas, in 1990, 
Senator Patterson became chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black 
Caucus, and he was elected by the South Carolina House Education Committee in 
January 1983 to serve on the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees. He 
was the first Black to serve on the board since Reconstruction; and

Whereas, in recognition 
of his spirit of excellence and dedicated service, particularly toward those 
who most need help, he was inducted into the Richland One Hall of Fame. He will 
be remembered for his colorful language; ready wit; and boldness as a champion 
of justice, equality, and education; and

Whereas, he leaves to 
cherish his memory his dear wife, Jean James; their daughter Pamela; three 
grandchildren, Eric Jr., Ashley, and Courtland; and a host of other loving 
family members and friends. He was predeceased by his son, Eric; and

Whereas, the people of 
South Carolina were made better by the influence of Kay Patterson 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 Kay Patterson and 
extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

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

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 15, 2025 at 03:14 PM