A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Mary Elizabeth Mullikin, Esquire, OF Kershaw COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Mary Elizabeth Mullikin at the age of thirty-eight on Sunday, March 30, 2025; and

 

Whereas, born in Columbia on July 3,1986, Mary Elizabeth was the firstborn of four children born to Thomas Stowe Mullikin and Virginia Ann Mullikin. She was reared in a loving family with siblings Thomas Mullikin Jr., Alex Tomlinson, and Charlie Whitney; and

 

Whereas as a young child, Ms. Mullikin was an eager participant in Christmas pageant plays held in the front yard of the Mullikin home with many first cousins. As an adult, she was a gracious and eager host for Mullikin family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas and for Carolina Cup events. She relished her role as Aunt "Miz" to her beloved niece and nephews; and

 

Whereas, she played several sports as a young child and in high school held the number one position on Camden High School's tennis team and earned a black belt in American freestyle karate. She became an avid SCUBA diver and assisted her father, a certified SCUBA diving instructor, with the organization and preparation of SCUBA classes; and

 

Whereas, after graduating from Camden High School, Ms. Mullikin earned a bachelor's degree from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority; and

 

Whereas, she served in the White House as a member of the presidential advance team under former President George W. Bush, and she worked in the South Carolina Senate. She served with a boutique tax law firm and a large multistate law firm, researching for corporate mergers and acquisitions while she was in law school. She earned a juris doctorate from the Charleston School of Law in 2011; and

 

Whereas, Ms. Mulliken gained experience and extensive knowledge on state and federal laws governing healthcare and insurance and the South Carolina legislative process while working for the Mullikin Law Firm started by her parents, both attorneys. This experience led her to a position at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina where she was an accomplished lawyer and lobbyist; and

 

Whereas, she supported other women in the practice of law and government affairs and had a deep conviction for supporting victims of domestic abuse, which led her to serve on the board of directors of Pathways to Healing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aimed at ending sexual violence through advocacy, education, and supportive services for domestic abuse victims in South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, always defined by her faith, she had passion for serving others and displayed deep loyalty to her family and friends. Her tenacious courage and abundant creativity were among the many striking qualities that attracted her beloved fiancé, Bradford Burns. Her work ethic and commitment in her career manifested her drive to be the best in all that she did; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Mary Elizabeth Mullikin and for the example of excellence, joy, 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 Mary Elizabeth Mullikin, Esquire, of Kershaw County and extend their deepest sympathy to her large and loving family and her many friends.

 

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

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