A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

To Recognize the Historical Significance of the Bunyon Thompson Family to Fairfield County and Acknowledge the Contributions of Tommie Lee and Eunice Shelton Thompson, Gethsemane School, and Gethsemane Baptist Church.

 

Whereas, Bunyon Thompson, the first Black landowner in Fairfield County, played a pivotal role in shaping the community's development by overcoming significant racial and economic barriers to become a prosperous landowner and community leader, setting a precedent for African American families in the region during the early twentieth century; and

 

Whereas, Bunyon Thompson's contributions to the Gethsemane community were instrumental in the establishment of Gethsemane Baptist Church and Gethsemane School through the donation of timber, labor, and financial resources, which provided a foundation for the community's spiritual and educational advancement; and

 

Whereas, the Gethsemane Church, built on land donated by the Thompson family, was founded in 1850 by Reverend Nelson Davis and has served as a beacon of faith and a gathering place for worship and community unity, enriching the lives of countless individuals in Fairfield County for one hundred seventy-five years; and

 

Whereas, Gethsemane School, also constructed with the support of the Thompson family, served as a vital educational institution for African American children in Fairfield County for  decades, with Eunice Shelton Thompson serving as the first headmaster, educating generations of students, and fostering the values of learning, discipline, and community service; and

 

Whereas, Tommie Lee Thompson, son of Bunyon Thompson, continued his family's legacy of  leadership by serving as a trustee for both Gethsemane Baptist Church and Gethsemane School while establishing himself as a successful businessman who provided essential services to the community, including running a gas station and convenience store that supported the local economy; and

 

Whereas, the Thompson House, built by Tommie Lee and Eunice Shelton Thompson in the early 1930s, became a hub for community activity, offering a place of rest, comfort, and support for local residents, particularly students and churchgoers who walked miles to school and church, and a source of stability during times of economic hardship, such as the Great Depression; and

 

Whereas, the Thompson House is historically significant as the birthplace of two notable descendants, Tommy Scott Young, an internationally recognized poet, playwright, and storyteller, and esteemed educator Felicia Young Trower, both of whom have continued the Thompson family's legacy of leadership, service, and cultural contribution, inspiring future generations; and 

 

Whereas, the Thompson family's enduring legacy of community service, educational leadership, and business enterprise has had a lasting impact on Fairfield County, contributing to the advancement of African Americans in the region and embodying the values of resilience, perseverance, and generosity; and

 

Whereas, the preservation of the Thompson House, Gethsemane Baptist Church, and Gethsemane School as historical and cultural landmarks will ensure that the legacy of the Thompson family and their contributions to Fairfield County are honored and remembered for  generations to come. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize the historical significance of the Bunyon Thompson Family to Fairfield County and acknowledge the contributions of Tommie Lee and Eunice Shelton Thompson, Gethsemane School, and Gethsemane Baptist Church.

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