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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE UPON THE PASSING OF MARY LEE HENDRIX OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Lee Hendrix of Fairfield County on February 18, 2020, at the venerable age of nearly eighty-one; and
Whereas, born on February 26, 1939, and reared with seven siblings in the Blair community, Mary Lee Hendrix was the daughter of Lee and Beaudell Hendrix. This graduate of McCrorey-Liston High School earned a bachelor's degree from Benedict College and master's degrees from both the University of South Carolina and the University of Georgia. She completed additional studies at Tennessee State University; and
Whereas, Mary Lee Hendrix began her professional career as a first-grade student teacher at her beloved McCrorey-Liston, and her teaching career spanned fifty-four years. While teaching in Georgia, she was the first African American to integrate the Oconee County School System during the turbulent civil rights era of the 1960s. She also taught in Oglethorpe County Consolidated Schools in Georgia. After the death of her father, she returned to South Carolina to care for her mother. Mary Lee began her career at Benedict College as a media specialist/assistant professor and retired from that institution in 2015; and
Whereas, as a woman of faith, she served actively at Gethsemane Baptist Church as its public relations specialist, having previously served as the church's financial secretary and as a member of the Mass Choir. In the community, she was fondly known as the "Picture Lady"; and
Whereas, in her college days, Mary Lee Hendrix placed as first runner-up in the Miss Benedict College Pageant. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta and a former member of the Fairfield County Library Board. Among her many honors are Personality of the South recognition, Outstanding Young Woman Award, Benedict College Twenty-Year Service Award and Thirty-Five-Year Service Award, and Ambassador for Christians Award; and
Whereas, she served weekly as a contributing reporter for The Independent Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County, The Carolina Panorama, and The Columbia Star newspapers; and
Whereas, a highly respected icon in Fairfield County, Mary Lee Hendrix will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Mary Lee Hendrix of Fairfield County and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Lee Hendrix.
This web page was last updated on February 20, 2020 at 11:39 AM