South Carolina S 1136: STO Programs Day

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 1136 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 22, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 1136

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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

A senate RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF Pearl 
Fryar AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pearl 
Fryar on April 4, 2026; and

Whereas, a native of Clinton, 
North Carolina, Mr. Fryar was born in 1939 to a family of sharecroppers. His parents 
instilled in him a powerful work ethic, moral responsibility, and the 
importance of kindness to all. Like his brother and sister, he helped out on 
the family farm from a young age, and then he attended North Carolina College, 
now North Carolina Central University in the 1960s; and

Whereas, a veteran of 
the United States Army, Mr. Fryar served in Korea. After marrying his boyhood 
sweetheart, Metra, the couple lived in New York City; and

Whereas, Mr. Fryar worked 
for American Can Company/Rexam for thirty-six years, including during the 
manufacturing transition from steel to aluminum. While working full time, he 
moved to Bishopville and started his topiary garden by pruning trees and shrubs 
on his home property; and

Whereas, beginning in 
the 1980s, Mr. Fryar cleared a cornfield on his home property to create a 
three-acre topiary garden that is stunningly beautiful, whimsical, educational, 
and inspiring. Many of the plants in the garden were rescued from nursery 
compost piles. Mr. Fryar transformed discarded trees and shrubs into an 
arresting landscape of living plant sculptures; and

Whereas, over the 
years, Mr. Fryar became known for his extraordinary handiwork. He was featured in 
newspapers and magazines, appeared on television, and spoke far and wide at 
gardens, galleries, and festivals. The acclaimed documentary, A Man Named 
Pearl, charts his creative journey. He made a John Deere tractor commercial 
and attracted visitors by the thousands; and

Whereas, Mr. Fryar's garden 
is intentionally apolitical and spiritually non-sectarian, expressing the 
message of "Love, Peace, and Goodwill." Offering a special feeling of sanctuary 
and oasis, the garden's living plant invocation is universal, transcending all 
differences among people and ideologies. Mr. Fryar wanted his garden to remain 
free to all, retaining a self-contained, intimate presence amid a quiet, 
semi-rural neighborhood; and

Whereas, a caring 
member of his community, Mr. Fryar created a scholarship fund for "average" 
students in South Carolina in support of their post-high school education; and

Whereas, from the 
humble wellspring of ancestral African American roots, Mr. Fryar bears the 
torch of hard work, passion, and humility. Living modestly in simple abundance, 
he considered himself richly blessed. He viewed his life as service to family, spirit, 
and community. His garden is an enthusiastic offering to all; and

Whereas, Mr. Fryar 
leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Metra, and his son, Patrick. He will be 
greatly missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the 
South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, 
express profound sorrow upon the passing of Pearl Fryar 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 of Pearl Fryar.

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This web page was last updated on April 22, 2026 at 10:12 AM