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TO EXPRESS THE SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE DEATH OF CATHY MCHENRY BIRD OF GRAMLING, TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS, AND TO RECOGNIZE HER DEDICATION TO THE EDUCATIONAL PROFESSION AND THE STAFF, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS OF NEW PROSPECT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Whereas, it with deep regret that the members of South Carolina House of Representatives have learned of the death of Cathy M. Bird of Gramling; and
Whereas, Mrs. Bird was the daughter of the late George and Margaret Knox Worthy; and
Whereas, a 1971 Dorman High School graduate, she received her B.S. degree from Gardner Webb College in 1975 and her Masters of Education from Converse College in 1979. In 1990, she received an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision from Converse College; and
Whereas, Mrs. Bird's cherished life's work was education. She served as principal at New Prospect Elementary school for seven years and was an educator with Spartanburg School District 1 for more than thirty years; and
Whereas, under her leadership, New Prospect Elementary School received numerous awards, including The Carolina First and South Carolina Association of School Administrators Award and The Carolina First 2005-2006 Palmetto's Finest Award; and
Whereas, beloved by staff, teachers, students, and parents alike, Mrs. Bird gave so unselfishly of her time, talents, and energy over the years. She will be remembered always as an innovative principal who loved shopping, her black lab Maggie Mae, and had such incredible "personability" with children which made her an outstanding principal as well as classroom teacher; and
Whereas, a member of First Baptist Church of North Spartanburg, she was also the beloved wife of Tommy Bird and the proud mother to daughter Suzanne Bird and son Thomas Frank Bird IV; and
Whereas, with the death of this truly wonderful wife, mother, and educator, the people of Gramling and South Carolina have lost a person of great dignity, integrity, and character who greatly enriched the lives of all those who had the privilege of knowing her. The South Carolina House of Representatives takes pride in recognizing this dear South Carolinian and her lifetime of dedication to the educational profession; and
Whereas, Mrs. Bird's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her and most especially in the hearts of the young lives she touched over the last thirty years. While our loss is great, her reward will certainly be greater. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, express their sorrow upon the death of Cathy McHenry Bird of Gramling, extend deepest sympathy to her family and many friends, and recognize her dedication to the educational profession and the staff, teachers, and students of New Prospect Elementary School.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Mrs. Cathy McHenry Bird of Gramling.
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