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TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF MELVIN HART, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, many were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Melvin Hart on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the venerable age of sixty-nine; and
Whereas, born on January 7, 1952, in St. Matthews, Melvin Hart was the son of Cleola Kimpson Hart and Furman "Toot" Hart, Sr. One of six children, Melvin enjoyed a childhood playing many different sports with his friends, experiencing the little miracles that summer brings, and dutifully helping his parents by earning money selling chopped firewood. An intelligent and driven child, he started his kindergarten education early so he could accompany an older friend, and was known as a competitive student at Guinyard Elementary School; and
Whereas, in the eighth grade, Melvin transferred to St. Matthews High School, becoming one of a small group of African American students to integrate the school. Despite the many trials and difficulties that he experienced, he went on to play baseball, football, and basketball, and, in 1970, became one of five African American students to graduate from a class of approximately seventy-five students. He then went on to attend and graduate from South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, with minors in accounting and economics; and
Whereas, having experienced a successful and fulfilling career path, Melvin held the position of senior vice president of Marketing and Advertising for South Carolina Black Media Group, which was publisher of Columbia, South Carolina's African American newspaper, "Black News," which served each of South Carolina's forty-six counties. He also provided his time and expertise as a board member of the Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg and Calhoun counties, and as a board member of Family Health Centers Inc.; and
Whereas, in the 1960s Melvin's father, Furman, became one of the founding members of the St. Matthews branch of the NAACP, was active in the Voter Education Project, and often met with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island. Inspired by his father, and often accompanying him to civil rights meetings, Melvin had a long history of fighting for inclusion, civil rights, and equal justice as a life member of the NAACP, and as a life member of the Calhoun County Branch of the NAACP, including time spent serving as the vice president; and
Whereas, active in his community, Melvin was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. As a man of faith, he attended the Second Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, where he inherited a rich history of faith from his maternal grandparents, who had attended the same institution; and
Whereas, Melvin Hart leaves to cherish his memory his three children; Deltrease Hart-Anderson, James Hart, and William Hart; his six grandchildren; his great-grandchild; a host of other family and friends, as well as the community which he devoted much of his life to serving. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege and pleasure of knowing him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Melvin Hart, celebrate his life and achievements, and express the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Melvin Hart.
This web page was last updated on December 10, 2021 at 10:49 AM