Jannie L. Vinson Brabham

2025-2026 Bill 1135: Jannie L. Vinson Brabham - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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S. 1135
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Matthews
Document Path: SR-0605KM-AMB26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on April 21, 2026
Adopted by the Senate on April 21, 2026
Summary: Jannie L. Vinson Brabham
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

4/21/2026

Senate

Introduced and adopted (
Senate Journal-page 5
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
04/21/2026

A
senate
RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF
Jannie L. Vinson Brabham AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND
MANY FRIENDS.

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jannie
L. Vinson Brabham on April 4, 1992; and

W
hereas, a native of
Peeples Township, Mrs. Brabham was born on September 20, 1924, to late parents George
Vinson and Katie Catherine Moss. She was lovingly raised by Jacob Rivers Sr.,
and Edna Crosson Rivers, who nurtured and shaped her into the remarkable woman
she would become; and

W
hereas, she met the
man who would become the love of her life in a local five and dime store in
Hampton in 1948. In a gesture of sweet simplicity, John Henry Brabham bought
her an ice cream, and from that moment a love story began. On January 15, 1949,
the two united in holy matrimony, and together they built a loving home and
family in Hampton County. Mrs. Brabham was a dedicated mother to her children,
Peggy D. Brabham, James H. Brabham, and George T. Brabham, and a cherished
stepmother to Catherine Roden, Marvin Brabham, Betty Mitchell, and Harry
Brabham; and

W
hereas, though
reserved and quiet by nature, Mrs. Brabham possessed a warmth that drew people
close and kept them there. She was deeply devoted to her dear aunts, Elease
McBride, Dell Ann Dunbar, Willie Mae Green, and Minnie of Philadelphia. She was
also a devoted sister to Elouise Heywood. These cherished family bonds brought
her great comfort and love throughout her life. She was also blessed with the
lifelong friendships of her beloved best friends, Mrs. Lou Alma Terry and Mrs.
Maybelle Williams Cooler, two women who brought her great joy and companionship
throughout her life; and

W
hereas, Mrs. Brabham
was known throughout her community as a generous and compassionate soul.
Whenever a family was in need, she was among the first to arrive, often with a
warm, home cooked meal and a comforting presence. She was a loving wife,
devoted mother, and adored grandmother whose impact extended far beyond the
walls of her home; and

W
hereas, a devout
Christian, she was a member of the Church of God in Varnville where she served
with pride as an usher for many years; and

W
hereas, in her free
time, Mrs. Brabham enjoyed supporting her community, actively participating in
the Booster Club at Wade Hampton High School, where she cheered on her youngest
son as he proudly served in the band and on the football field. She also found
joy and artistry in quilting, creating works that reflected her patience,
creativity, and love; and

W
hereas, in May 1991, Mrs.
Brabham was diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer, a disease her family
had never encountered before. Despite enduring aggressive rounds of radiation
and chemotherapy with remarkable courage, she passed away on April 4, 1992. Her
battle with ovarian cancer, though devastating, became the spark that would
ignite a powerful legacy; and

W
hereas, her
granddaughter, Colletta Brabham-Orr, was so deeply moved by her grandmother's
illness that she dedicated her life to understanding the disease that took her.
Mrs. Brabham-Orr was awarded cancer research fellowships at Georgetown
University's Lombardi Cancer Center and The National Cancer Institute in
Washington, D.C. She has been published in scientific journals for her
meaningful contributions to ovarian cancer research and is the author of
Cancer
Doesn't Always Win: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating Breast & Ovarian
Cancer
. She continues her work as a senior scientist at Merck
Pharmaceutical and founded EmpowerHER Health Initiative, a women's health
advocacy platform dedicated to educating women about breast and ovarian cancer,
health equity, and the power of early detection, carrying her grandmother's
memory into every life she touches; and

W
hereas, Mrs. Brabham
leaves to cherish her memory her children, Peggy D. Brabham and George T.
Brabham; her grandchildren, James A. Brabham, Colletta Brabham-Orr, Janae
Brabham, and Jordan Brabham; and her great-grandchildren: Amorde Brabham, Kayla
Brabham, Asia Brabham, Ariana Brabham, Ashley Brabham, and Douglas B. Orr IV.
She will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
Senate
:

T
hat the members of the
South Carolina
Senate
, by this resolution,
express profound sorrow upon the passing of Jannie L. Vinson Brabham and extend
the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.

B
e it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jannie L. Vinson
Brabham.

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This web page was last updated on April 21, 2026 at 3:39 PM