H 4861

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 4861
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A house RESOLUTION
TO EXPRESS THE
PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE HERBERT GADSON, FORMER MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF
HOLLYWOOD, 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 the Honorable Herbert Gadson, former mayor of the Town of Hollywood, on
January 2, 2026, at the venerable age of seventy-seven; and
Whereas, born on
September 22, 1948, Herbert Gadson was the son of the late Rufus and Bernice
Brisbon Gadson and the late Charles Ernest and Viola Brisbon Gadson. He
received his early education in the public school system of Charleston County
and graduated from Baptist Hill High School with honors as valedictorian of the
Class of 1967. His strong convictions about the gift of education led him to
earn both his bachelor's degree (1971), as well as a master's degree (1974), at
South Carolina State College in the area of industrial arts education. On June
16, 1972, he wed Linda Dingle, and Herbert and his new bride were blessed with
a fine family of three children and two grandchildren; and
Whereas, in 1989, this
Lowcountry legend and civil rights pioneer was elected the first African
American mayor of the Town of Hollywood, but his trailblazing had begun long
before his years as mayor (1989-2003). In 1968, he and a dozen other South
Carolina State University students attempted to desegregate Orangeburg's
All-Star Bowling Alley, and he was beaten with a club at that time by police.
Days later, during the Orangeburg Massacre on February 8, 1968, he was shot by
police. When he died decades later, the bullet from that Orangeburg encounter
was still lodged in his hip; and
Whereas, having taken
up his duties as mayor, Herbert Gadson battled the crack cocaine crisis
gripping the county and his town. He also played a large role in building
Hollywood's infrastructure, bringing water and sewer services to Hollywood in
1993 when no one thought it was possible. He was a man for all seasons, a titan
in his town and beyond. Ultimately, his touch affected many lives because he
worked in such a way as to make all citizens of his rural community feel as if
they had a place at the table; and
Whereas, Herbert Gadson
leaves to cherish his memory his children, Reginald Everett Gadson, the
Reverend Telley Lynnette Gadson, and Shaytee Gadson; his grandchildren, Quati
LeNay Woodberry-Gadson and Qynn LeShay Woodberry-Gadson; and a host of other
family members and friends. The people of South Carolina were made better by
his influence and will greatly miss his impactful presence. 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 the
Honorable Herbert Gadson, former mayor of the Town of Hollywood, celebrate his
life, and extend their 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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This web page was last updated on January 14, 2026 at 03:18 PM