Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO HONOR RAYMOND H. "BUDDY" DELANEY, JR., OF WEST COLUMBIA, AND THE ENTIRE DELANEY FAMILY, AND TO RECOGNIZE THE FRIENDLY, FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BEST MATTRESS COMPANY WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPERATION AND MAINTAINED UNPRECEDENTED EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY AND SERVICE FOR ALMOST NINE DECADES.
Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the Senate honors Raymond H. "Buddy" Delaney, Jr., on his life's work, as he has led the Best Mattress Company for the past thirty-five years, and recognizes his family members who began the successful small business and those who have worked so hard to build such an amazing, lasting legacy; and
Whereas, at the age of forty-two, recently widowed Mabel E. Beecham decided in order to provide for her five small children that she would start her own small business. For a woman in the 1920s to begin her own business took great courage and determination, something Mrs. Beecham clearly possessed along with skills in sewing and furniture upholstery which would serve her well; and
Whereas, the business was born in 1928 and when her eldest son, Raymond H. Delaney, Sr., returned from serving in Europe during World War II, he joined her in the business and quickly began the process of expanding the business always maintaining the individual, hand-crafted philosophy that continues to be the backbone of the Best Mattress Company today; and
Whereas, during the 1950s, the company supplied bedding for Shaw Air Force Base, Donaldson Air Force Base, Fort Jackson, and many hospitals, hotels, and dormitory rooms while continuing to meet the growing demand of individual customers; and
Whereas, Raymond Delaney, Sr., really revolutionized the mattress business by introducing new designs with custom, made-to-order bedding even crafting a heart-shaped mattress for the 1950s Hollywood actress, Jayne Mansfield, and a 10 x 10 mattress for a professional wrestler; and
Whereas, in 1956, another generation was born. While attending Brookland-Cayce High School, Buddy Delaney joined the family business and began work in the factory where he learned the art of mattress making from the ground up; and
Whereas, Buddy graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1980 and took over the day-to-day operations of the company. Together with his sister, Linda Delaney Martin, they have continued the tradition started by their beloved grandmother with quality and service remaining their number one goal; and
Whereas, maintaining their reputation of made-to-order, quality custom designs, Best Mattress has two locations in the State, with more store locations on the radar for the future, and continues to ship their products nationwide and even to Europe; and
Whereas, today, Buddy and Linda are making plans with Raymond Delaney III, and great-grandson, RH, for the fourth generation of Delaneys to continue on with the family business well into the 2020s and even perhaps into the next one hundred years; and
Whereas, it is with great pride that the members of the South Carolina Senate honor Buddy Delaney, Linda Delaney Martin, and their wonderful family, acknowledge the continuing commitment to excellence of the Best Mattress Company, and note the success for almost nine decades of this fine South Carolina small business. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, honor Raymond H. "Buddy" Delaney, Jr., of West Columbia, and the entire Delaney family, and to recognize the friendly, family owned and operated Best Mattress Company which has been in operation and maintained unprecedented excellence in quality and service for almost nine decades.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Raymond H. "Buddy" Delaney, Jr.
This web page was last updated on May 26, 2015 at 12:36 PM