A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Chessye Baughman Powell OF Orangeburg COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Chessye Baughman Powell at the age of eighty-two on January 2, 2024; and

 

Whereas, born in Orangeburg on June 1, 1941, she was the daughter of Myrtis Hightower Baughman and Lonnie Jessie Baughman, Jr., and she graduated from Orangeburg High School and attended Newberry College; and

 

Whereas, Mrs. Powell served as an executive assistant to Chief J. P. "Pete" Strom for the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and during her time there, she helped develop the first training class on arson for use by fire and police officials around the State; and

 

Whereas, later she returned to Orangeburg and met the late Roy Powell, the love of her life, at Smith Corona Manufacturing where they were both employed.  Together they reared two fine children, Greg who resides in Atlanta and Allyn who resides in Columbia.  She was blessed to see the continuation of her loving family legacy in her four grandchildren: Landon, Tanner, Mathis, and Keaton; and

 

Whereas, Mrs. Powell served with the United States House of Representatives as district manager for the Second Congressional District of South Carolina for thirty-four years and retired in 2001.  She began her service under Congressman Albert Watson in 1967 and continued with his successor, Congressman Floyd Spence, who was elected in 1971; and

 

Whereas, she was dedicated to her job and enjoyed helping everyone who called or passed through the office doors.  She often observed that she had been guided by the motto: "When duty calls, you have to rise to the occasion."  She always rose to the occasion, whatever the circumstances; and

 

Whereas, upon her retirement, Mrs. Powell took up golf, not a sport which came easily to her.  She was, nevertheless, determined to be able to enjoy playing with her husband, and over time she came to love the game and the wonderful community of friends they found at Calhoun Country Club.  She set "personal bests" in her game that someone half her age would find challenging, including playing 72 holes of golf on her sixty-fifth birthday; and

 

Whereas, she loved her church family at First Baptist Church in Saint Matthews, where she served as teacher for the second grade Sunday school class; church treasurer; the chair of the Bereavement Committee; and organizer, recruiter, and head cheerleader for the morning exercise class.  Earnestly knitting winter caps for merchant seamen was just a small way she found to minister quietly to the world; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Chessye Baughman Powell and for the example of service and kindness she set for all who knew her.  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 Chessye Baughman Powell of Orangeburg County and extend their deepest sympathy to her loving family and her many friends.

 

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

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