A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THEODIUS OATES, JR., OF HOPKINS, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of Theodius Oates, Jr., of Hopkins on June 19, 2023, at the age of sixty-six; and

 

Whereas, born on February 10, 1957, in Austin, Texas, Theodius Oates, Jr., was the middle child of the late Theodius Oates, Sr., and Bertha Mae Floyd Oates. Having graduated from Fort Campbell High School in Kentucky, the young Theodius earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Western Carolina University in North Carolina; and

 

Whereas, during his college days, he was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and became a life member of that organization's national chapter. He was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Columbia (SC) Alumni Chapter; and

 

Whereas, in 1982, he became a teacher at Seventy-First High School in North Carolina. During his two-year tenure there, he was assistant coach for boys football and basketball and head coach for one year for junior varsity boys basketball. He next served at Troy Middle School in North Carolina, where he became head coach for boys football and basketball. During that year, both teams won their middle school championships; and

 

Whereas, in South Carolina, this dedicated educator taught special education, physical education, and health education at Southeast Middle School in Hopkins. Many students looked up to him as a father figure. He retired after thirty-two years as a teacher for Richland County School District One, in addition to serving as head football and basketball coach (for both girls and boys), as athletic director, and as an ADEPT evaluator for teachers. After retirement, he returned to Richland County School District One and continued his employment for a total of thirty-seven years. He was certified in three areas: guidance and counseling, special education, and physical education; and

 

Whereas, in recognition of his outstanding service as a teacher, he was named Teacher of the Year for Olympia School, where he worked in special education for nineteen of his thirty-seven years with his district. As a coach, he received the Middle School Coach of the Year award four times; and

 

Whereas, he was also a committed family man. In 1985, he married the love of his life, the former Janice Marie Owens of Waverly, Georgia, the Lord blessing the couple with two children, Theodius and Sierrah. As a man of faith, Mr. Oates was a member of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road; and

 

Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of thirty-eight years, Janice Marie Owens Oates; his son, Theodius Oates III (Andrea); his daughter, Sierrah Lunday Oates Barber (Christopher); a granddaughter, Camilla Noelle Oates; a grandson, Theodius Oates IV; his mother, Bertha Oates; a brother, Theodoro Oates, Sr. (Sonya); two sisters-in-law, Mary Alicia Golden and Gwendolyn Owens; one brother-in-law, Mack Strange; a godson, Alexander Watson; a goddaughter, Cherrelle Reed; and a host of other family members and friends; and

 

Whereas, the people of South Carolina, most particularly the people of the Columbia area, were made better by Theodius Oates' influence. The impactful presence of this adopted son of South Carolina will be greatly missed and remembered for generations to come. 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 passing of Theodius Oates, Jr., of Hopkins, celebrate his life, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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