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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE DEATH OF FANNIE PHELPS ADAMS OF COLUMBIA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Fannie Phelps Adams of Columbia on May 31, 2016, at the venerable age of ninety-eight; and
Whereas, having entered this world on June 27, 1917, Fannie Phelps Adams was the eighth of ten children born to James and Mary Lou Phelps. The young Fannie graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1934 and earned her bachelor's degree at Allen University (1938) and her master's degree at South Carolina State University (1953). Further study followed at Columbia University in New York, North Carolina College in Durham, and Fisk University in Nashville; and
Whereas, Mrs. Adams began her professional career in 1938 as a teacher at Booker T. Washington Heights Elementary School (later Sarah Nance Elementary and now Watkins-Nance Elementary), where she taught third grade until 1943. She went on to teach English and social studies at Booker T. Washington High School and continued her service there as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, and acting principal until the school closed in 1974. She then served as assistant principal at A.C. Flora High School until she retired in 1979. During her more than forty years in Richland County School District One, she taught, guided, and befriended hundreds of students and scores of her fellow teachers. The people whose lives she touched are far too numerous to count. The Booker T. Washington Foundation established the Fannie Phelps Adams Scholarship in her honor in 1986; and
Whereas, a guiding light, under God, to her family, friends, church, community, and students, Fannie Adams believed strongly in personal involvement with her community, and her convictions led her to serve that community in several capacities. These include service as a lifetime member of St. James AME Church, where she was a trustee, class leader, member of the church school and Bible study groups, and 1975 Mother of the Year. In addition, she received the Heritage Award and Meritorious Membership Award, and in 2007 she was honored as the church's oldest living member. The Presbyterian Women of Northminster Presbyterian Church recognized Mrs. Adams as a Woman of Faith. Her many other honors include awards from the Richland County Education Association, South Carolina Education Association, and National Education Association; and
Whereas, Mrs. Adams was founder of the Palmetto Cemetery Association and director of the Wheeler Hill Neighborhood Association and had been a member of the Columbia Branch of the National Association of University Women since 1945 and of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority since 1944. She was a former board member for Palmetto Richland Hospital, a charter member of Palmetto Richland Children's Hospital, a volunteer with the Senior Citizen Food Co-Op, and a member of the NAACP; and
Whereas, having been preceded in death by her beloved husband, David King Adams, Fannie Phelps Adams leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Mary Suzette Adams-Jenkins; a grandson, David Edward Adams; two great-grandchildren, Davion and Diamond Adams; and a host of other family members and friends. She will be missed by all who had the inestimable privilege of knowing her. 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 death of Fannie Phelps Adams of Columbia and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mary Suzette Adams-Jenkins for the family.
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