Rev. Walter Banks White

2025-2026 Bill 5266: Rev. Walter Banks White - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5266
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. King
Document Path: LC-0509CM-GM26.docx
Introduced in the House on February 26, 2026
Adopted by the House on February 26, 2026
Summary: Rev. Walter Banks White
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

2/26/2026

House

Introduced and adopted (
House Journal-page 8
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
02/26/2026

A
house
RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor Reverend Walter Banks White,
a faithful teacher and pastor, for his years of service to his Rock Hill community,
his family, and his Lord.

W
hereas, Reverend
Walter Banks White was born in Rock Hill on October 17, 1930, to the late
Doshia Mae Miller White and Elliott Bernard White. Reared in the Boyd Hill
community, he graduated from Emmett Scott High School in 1947, where he served
as art editor of the school newspaper; and

W
hereas, after high
school, young Walter worked various jobs in Rock Hill and Charlotte, including
positions at Gold-Text Mill and the Charlotte Naval Ammunition Depot, and pursued
his artistic interests by studying at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art in
Pennsylvania; and

W
hereas, feeling called
to ministry, he was encouraged by his supportive wife to pursue formal
education. He graduated magna cum laude from Friendship Junior College in 1957 and
earned a bachelor's degree from Benedict College in 1959. He completed theological
studies at J. J. Starks School of Religion and earned a master's degree in education
from South Carolina State University in 1961. He completed additional graduate
coursework at Winthrop University; and

W
hereas, Reverend White
began a distinguished career in education as an elementary teacher and
assistant principal at George Fish School in Fort Mill. He taught at York Road
Junior High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, which later became Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. High School. He taught at Sunset Park Elementary and Rock Hill High
School. While teaching at Rock Hill High, he co-authored
We the People
,
a government textbook used district wide for seventh grade students; and

W
hereas, he served as principal
of Sunset Park Elementary School for thirteen years. Under his leadership,
standardized test scores increased, attendance improved, parental involvement
grew, and campus safety was strengthened. He established a student council,
initiated an honor society, and supported an elementary band program, and he
served as director of the Adult Education Program for three years. Reverend White
was appointed principal of Oakdale Elementary School, where he continued his
legacy of excellence before retiring from education to enter full-time ministry;
and

W
hereas, even while
serving in education, Reverend White faithfully pastored churches throughout
York and Chester counties. His pastoral journey included four years at Shady
Grove Baptist Church in Gaffney, four years at James Chapel Baptist Church in
Fort Mill, ten years at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Chester, twenty years at Flint
Hill Baptist Church in Rock Hill, two years as interim at Mount Prospect
Baptist Church, and six years at Great Joy Baptist Church in McConnells; and

W
hereas, dedicated to
his community, he served on numerous committees for the Rock Hill School
District, the York County Planning Commission, and the City of Rock Hill
Planning Commission. He served as secretary of the Rock Hill YMCA Board of
Directors, where his family became the first Black family to join, and he
served as president of the Baptist Convention of York and Chester Counties, president
of the Sandy River Baptist Association Sunday School Congress, and a board
member of the Catawba Regional Council of Governments; and

W
hereas, Reverend White
and his beloved wife, Helen Ruth Caldwell White, were married for fifty-seven
years until her passing in 2011, and together they reared two fine daughters,
Waltrina Morrietta White Barnett and Banita Doshia White Brown. His children
have blessed him with the affection of seven loving grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren; and

W
hereas, the South
Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the lifelong legacy of Walter
White and the example of faith, integrity, and leadership he has set for all
who know him. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
House of Representatives
:

T
hat the members of the
South Carolina
House of Representatives
,
by this resolution, recognize and honor Reverend Walter Banks White, a faithful
teacher and pastor, for his years of service to his Rock Hill community, his
family, and his Lord.

B
e it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Walter Banks White.

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This web page was last updated on February 26, 2026 at 11:10 AM