H 5198

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5198
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 Reverend Dr. Mary
Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire, OF richland COUNTY AND to EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST
SYMPATHY TO HER LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives was saddened to learn of the death of Reverend
Dr. Mary Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire, at the age of seventy-three on Monday, February
9, 2026; and
Whereas, a native of
Columbia, she was born on September 19, 1952, the youngest of sixteen children of
the late Harvey D. and Ruth Ford Myers; and
Whereas, from an early
age, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery committed her life to serving the Lord. She
was baptized at Zion Baptist Church in Columbia where she remained an active
and faithful member throughout her life. She served the congregation by singing
with the youth choir and the Inspirational Singers and working with the
Scholarship, Publicity, Historical, and Enrichment committees; and
Whereas, educated in
Richland County District One schools, she graduated from Booker T. Washington
High School with honors in 1970. She earned a bachelor's degree, master's
degree, and a juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina. In 1987,
she earned a Master of Laws in International Law from Georgetown University
while earning a Master of Divinity from Howard University. She studied
international ministries at Mansfield College at Oxford University in England;
and
Whereas, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery
graduated from Howard University with a perfect 4.0 GPA and received fellowship
in the Benjamin E. Mays Fund for Theological Education, listing in Who's Who
Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, membership in Kappa Tau
Alpha National Journalism Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society,
and the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence from Howard University School of
Divinity; and
Whereas, her storied
career included service as an assistant United States attorney in the United States
Department of Justice during the Reagan Administration under Attorney General
Edwin Meese. She served as a federal judicial clerk for the Honorable Matthew
J. Perry, an account executive for Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph
Company, a staff writer for the Associated Press in Charlotte, communications
law professor at Howard University, and a reporter for three newspapers; and
Whereas, Reverend Dr. Myers-Montgomery
was among the Daughters of Zion, women of Zion Baptist Church who defied
tradition to proclaim the Gospel and pursue ordination, and was ordained into
the Gospel ministry on June 8, 1986. She served as pastor of Burroughs Memorial
Baptist Church in Columbia and taught biblical literature and ethics at Claflin
University; and
Whereas, combining her
knowledge of international law and theology, she designed and led a South
African foreign missions project through Gethsemane Baptist Church in
Washington, D. C., providing food for starving children. She was a frequent
guest speaker at churches and served as president of Seek Peace and Pursue It
Ministries, Inc., and led S-P-A-P-I Publishing Company; and
Whereas, Reverend Dr.
Myers-Montgomery dedicated her time to teaching children to read and write
through Dees Tutoring and offering pro bono legal services. Married to the late
Moses Montgomery, she leaves two siblings, Thomas J. Myers and Andrea L. Myers-Davis,
to cherish her memory, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other
relatives; and
Whereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Mary
Montgomery and for the example of service and devotion 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 Reverend
Dr. Mary Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire, of Richland 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 Reverend Dr. Mary
Lou Myers-Montgomery, Esquire.
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This web page was last updated on February 18, 2026 at 01:10 PM