South Carolina General Assembly
121st Session, 2015-2016

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Bill 5319


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR TALITHA A. THOMAS OF GREENVILLE COUNTY FOR HER SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUNERAL SERVICES PROFESSION AND TO CONGRATULATE HER UPON BEING NAMED THE 2016 ROBERT H. MILLER PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR BY THE NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MORTICIANS ASSOCIATION.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFDMA) has named Talitha A. Thomas of Greenville County the 2016 recipient of the association's highest honor, the 2016 Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year award; and

Whereas, in preparation for her professional career, Ms. Thomas earned an associate of science degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in Atlanta, after having previously studied at Notre Dame Women's College in Mayfield, Ohio; and

Whereas, currently employed by the Beasley Funeral Home, Inc., as embalmer, funeral director, and regulatory compliance coordinator, she is the first African American in the Palmetto State to attain the status of certified funeral service practitioner and the title of Ambassador of the Academy of Professional Funeral Services Practices; and

Whereas, Talitha Thomas's contributions to her profession on the state level include serving as District IV governor, the first female dual license to hold the position, and state recording secretary of the South Carolina Morticians Association (SCMA); and

Whereas, on the national level, Ms. Thomas served at the appointment of NFDMA past president Clarence E. H. Glover as program developer and assistant in moving the vision of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs, the association's youth auxiliary. She also was appointed by the late NFDMA past president Charles L. Harrison, Sr., to serve on the President's Advisory Council and as his executive administrative assistant and program chair for the first President Symposium; and

Whereas, in addition to her service to the SCMA and NFDMA, Ms. Thomas is a founding member of the Pi Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc., and a founding member and chapter president of Alpha Omicron, the upstate chapter of Epsilon Nu. She also is an active member of the Birdies and Hundred Black Women of Funeral Services, and the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Mortuary Scholarship Foundation, Inc., on which she serves as board member and secretary; and

Whereas, in addition to her professional commitments, Talitha Thomas has been involved in the Piedmont Food Bank, Diamond in the Rough Teen Program, and United Way and is a faithful member of Bibleway Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church; and

Whereas, in recognition of her professional contributions, she has received many professional awards, including the 2004 and 2005 Samuel S. Gaines Award and the 2015 State Professional of the Year Award from the SCMA; and

Whereas, although distinguished in her profession and community, Ms. Thomas takes her greatest pride in being the mother of a fine daughter, K'daya Lynn Brantley, and an adopted son, Joseph Thomas Jackson. She is especially blessed with the love of three grandchildren: N'osaj Nasir-Talique, Brantleigh Amaya, and Angel Faith; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that Talitha Thomas has brought to her profession, and the members congratulate her on being named the 2016 Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year. 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 Talitha A. Thomas of Greenville County for her significant contributions to the funeral services profession and congratulate her upon being named the 2016 Robert M. Miller Professional of the Year by the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Talitha A. Thomas.

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