H 5772

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 5772
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 Missionary Linda
Dingle Gadson OF charleston COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER
LOVING FAMILY AND Her MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death
of Missionary Linda Dingle Gadson on June 29, 2026; and
Whereas, born and
reared in Hollywood on Yonges Island, she was the daughter of the late Julius
Thomas Dingle and the late Annabelle Pinckney Dingle and was reared by her
maternal grandmother, the late Emily Judge Simmons. She received her early
education in the Charleston County public schools, and upon entering high
school, she was thrust into pioneering work of desegregation and graduated from
the predominantly white Saint Paul's Parish High School. In 1972, an Eleanor
Roosevelt Scholar, she was the first Black woman to earn a bachelor's degree
from the College of Charleston; and
Whereas, with plans to
enter law school in the fall of 1972, Mrs. Gadson took a summer job at Rural
Mission Inc. on Johns Island, a grassroots, human services agency, and the job significantly
changed the course of her life from the practice of law to the vocation of a
selfless humanitarian. She served God and God's people for forty-seven years
"serving the least of these" at Rural Mission Inc., ending her career as the
Rural Mission executive director; and
Whereas, the arms of
Rural Mission and of Linda Gadson have stretched from providing hope to the
hopeless, help to the helpless, shelter to the homeless, respite from the
scorch of heat for migrant children, educational opportunities to the disadvantaged,
and advocacy for the marginalized, to providing a satellite worship center on
Tuesdays for any and all in the on-site chapel; and
Whereas, recognized for
her outstanding commitment to serving by feeding the hungry, clothing the
naked, helping the blind to see beyond their natural eyes, encouraging the lame
to walk even in valleys of despair, and opening doors of employment for many, Mrs.
Gadson received many awards, most notably, the Order of the Palmetto in 2010,
which is the highest civilian award presented by the governor of South Carolina;
and
Whereas, affectionately
known as "Mother Gadson," she was a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist
Church and served the congregation and community in leadership and service. In
1986, she invented Big Mama, Mama & Me Anointing Oil, which has been used
across America for prayer and for pain; and
Whereas, together with
her beloved husband, the late Honorable Herbert Gadson who was the first Black
mayor of Hollywood, she reared three fine children: Reginald Gadson, a bus
driver for the CARTA Company; the Reverend Telley Lynnette Gadson, an ordained elder
in the United Methodist Church, currently serving as a district superintendent
and a leadership development coach; and Shaytee Herbert Abraham Gadson, a literacy
coach. Shaytee was a 2015 winner of The Harlem International Film Festival for
Best Screenplay, whose book, Hallelujah! In Hollywood: A true Hollywood
story, was endorsed by Oscar winner Susan Sarandon. Mrs. Gadson was blessed
to see the continuation of her loving family legacy in two adoring
granddaughters, Quati LeNay and Qynn LeShay; and
Whereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and
legacy of Linda Gadson and for the example of unwavering faith, devotion to
prayer, and the spirit of Mother Teresa 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 Missionary
Linda Dingle Gadson of Charleston 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 Missionary Linda
Dingle Gadson.
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This web page was last updated on August 11, 2026 at 03:23 PM