Joyce Gardner McDonald

2025-2026 Bill 5581: Joyce Gardner McDonald - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Download
This Bill
in Microsoft Word Format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 5581
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. G.M. Smith, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J.E. Johnson, J.L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Moss, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, M.M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow
Document Path: LC-0422HDB-EB26.docx
Introduced in the House on April 23, 2026
Adopted by the House on April 23, 2026
Summary: Joyce Gardner McDonald
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

4/23/2026

House

Introduced and adopted (
House Journal-page 7
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
04/23/2026

A
house
RESOLUTION

to express profound SORROW OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING of
Joyce Gardner Mcdonald, to REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE her LIFE, and to EXTEND
DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.

W
hereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joyce Gardner McDonald on April
4, 2026, at the age of seventy-nine; and

W
hereas, born on January 21, 1947, in Bethune, South Carolina, she
was the daughter of Lawrence Lawson Gardner and Annie Gaskins Gardner and grew
up in a close-knit rural community that helped shape her strong character and
work ethic; and

W
hereas, a proud graduate of Bethune High School, where she
distinguished herself as both a basketball player and cheerleader, Joyce went
on to attend Columbia Commercial College, completing a two-year secretarial
program in just one year, eager to begin her professional journey; and

W
hereas, she embarked upon a successful and varied career in
business, serving as secretary to Colonel Robert Johnson, Commander of McEntire
Air National Guard Base, and later as administrative assistant to Columbia
Mayor Kirkman Finlay Jr., demonstrating exceptional skills and dedication in
public service. In recognition of her excellence, she was named "Secretary of
the Year" in 1983 by the Columbia Chapter of the National Association of
Secretaries; and

W
hereas, after relocating to Batesburg-Leesville, Joyce continued her
professional pursuits while contributing significantly to her community,
including serving as president of the Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of Commerce
in 1987, where she played a key role in enhancing local events and civic life;
and

W
hereas, Joyce devoted more than thirty years to a distinguished
career as a life insurance agent and financial advisor, holding leadership
roles with New York Life Insurance Company and Principal Financial Group, where
she was widely respected for her expertise and professionalism; and

W
hereas, she furthered her education by earning a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Insurance and Risk
Management, from the University of South Carolina in 1999, and achieved the
prestigious Chartered Life Underwriter designation that same year; and

W
hereas, her leadership extended to her service as president of the
Columbia Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial
Advisors, reflecting her commitment to excellence in her field; and

W
hereas, a woman of deep faith and unwavering devotion, Joyce Gardner
McDonald was known for her strength, perseverance, and loving spirit,
especially throughout her courageous ten-year battle with Alzheimer's disease;
and

W
hereas, she found her greatest joy in her family, cherishing her
role as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, and she leaves behind
a legacy of love and steadfast support; and

W
hereas, she is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-three years,
Marion McDonald; her daughter, Angie Leidinger and her husband, Steven; her
cherished granddaughter, Lawson; and her sister, Phyllis Benton; and

W
hereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives
are grateful for the life and legacy of Joyce Gardner McDonald and for the
example of service and kindness she set for all who knew her. 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, express their profound sorrow
upon the passing of Joyce Gardner McDonald, remember and celebrate her life,
and extend deepest sympathy to her loving family and her many friends.

B
e it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to
the family of Joyce Gardner McDonald.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on April 23, 2026 at 11:08 AM