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TO CONGRATULATE CORINE JOHNSON ON THE OCCASION OF HER NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are delighted to learn that Corine Johnson will celebrate her ninetieth birthday on March 14, 2017; and
Whereas, Corine Johnson was born on March 14, 1927 in Batesburg, South Carolina to Minnie Houston and Johnny C. Myers. Her family has a rich history in the State; and
Whereas, Corine overcame many challenges in pursuit of her education. Batesburg School had little to offer, with limited courses and transportation, few textbooks, no kitchen, and a fire that halted Corine's education until the tenth grade. She rode the Greyhound bus to Columbia to beauty culture school and, if the bus was full of white people, was often forced to sit in the back or stand the entire way. Once in Columbia, she had to walk the three miles to Benedict College; and
Whereas, Corine also worked while attending school, taking care of children and helping Dr. W. W. King's family in their house. Before and after her marriage, she had four jobs: as waitress at Rutland Hotel, cleaner at Mrs. Bogo's house and Mrs. Nina (Tally) Shealy's house, and cashier at the Carolina Theatre, where she sold tickets, candy, and popcorn to black customers who were only allowed to attend the theatre in the evenings; and
Whereas, Corine has been a hairdresser since 1946. She first became interested in fixing hair when she worked in Mrs. Cora Lee Yonce's Fashion Beauty Shop picking up hair pins. There, she learned how to shampoo, fix white customers' hair, clean up, and conduct sales. After finishing beauty culture school, Corine set up a beauty salon with three other women in the back of a barber shop in Leesville; and
Whereas, Corine moved back to Batesburg and opened her own A1 beauty salon in the old blacksmith shop. In establishing the salon, she picked up coal along the railroad tracks in order to build the fire for heating hot water, pushed a wheelbarrow all the way to Leesville and back to get a used sink, and rented towels from Columbia Linen Company. Members of her community also contributed a chair, heater, hot water heater, old beauty chair, and plumbing; and
Whereas, Corine married Nathanial Johnson, who left to serve in World War II three days after they were married, loading cargo ships in New York and California as a longshoreman. Together, they had eight children, Robert, Calvin, Alvin, James, Elizabeth, Marilyn, Gloria Costena, and Patricia; and
Whereas, the Senate is proud to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her ninetieth birthday, and the members join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Corine Johnson on the occasion of her ninetieth birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Corine Johnson.
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