A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE Hattie Kinley on THE OCCASION OF HER ONE HUNDRED second BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Hattie Kinley of Richland County will celebrate her one hundred second birthday on January 24, 2025; and

 

Whereas, born on January 24, 1923, in the first quarter of the twentieth century, she has witnessed the many remarkable social changes, technological advancements, and international developments that have spanned the globe from that time into the first quarter of the twenty-first century; and

 

Whereas, the daughter of Willie Muller and Minervia Calhoun, she was born and raised in West Columbia and grew up in a large and loving family. Both of her parents had been married previously, bringing six children to the marriage, four by her mother and two by her father. Together, her parents had three more children, two sons and Hattie.  She is the last living member of the family; and

 

Whereas, she attended St. James School near the Columbia Airport, Cayce School, and Lakeview High School, all of which were segregated at the time, and the family attended church regularly while she was growing up; and

 

Whereas, as a young adult, Mrs. Kinley attended beauty culture school and studied under the direction of Amy Northrop, who taught her how to style hair fashionably, including a style that twisted and pressed hair out with a gas-powered hot iron, for which she earned two and a half to three dollars, a lot of money at the time. She also was employed at the Law Officer Board some six years; and

 

Whereas, after attending additional schooling to sharpen her hairstyling skills, she opened her own beauty shop called the Classic Beauty Shop on Washington Street in Columbia, which she maintained for over thirteen years. While working there, she earned a driver's license, and drove a Model T Ford as her first car; and

 

Whereas, together with her beloved husband, the late Thedore Kinley, who was a realtor and brick mason, she reared one fine son, Tearrone. The family enjoyed visiting Myrtle Beach often, even purchasing a piece of property where they built a block house, later adding an upstairs and patio, and where they have entertained family and church friends to this day; and

 

Whereas, a lifelong member of Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church, she has given of her time, talent, and treasure over the decades, serving the congregation as a trustee and giving gifts to the church such as the monitors, the gate for the cemetery, a window in her husband's honor, a pulpit chair, a chair for the pastor's office, and light fixtures. Following in her mother's footsteps, who helped to establish The Universal Club for donating needed items for the sick and bereaved, she and other ladies of the church encouraged family members to support the church by donating windows; and

 

Whereas, some of Mrs. Kinley's fondest memories are the trips taken with her best friend, Birdie Weathers, to New York and other places. God has had the greatest influence on her life, followed by her parents and Amy Northrop. Today she encourages folks to respect others, serve the church, mind their parents, and keep God first; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her one hundred second birthday and join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Hattie Kinley on the occasion of her one hundred second birthday and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and continued health and happiness.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Hattie Kinley.

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