Rev. Dr. Lillie Burgess sympathy

2025-2026 Bill 839: Rev. Dr. Lillie Burgess sympathy - 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
S. 839
STATUS INFORMATION
Senate Resolution
Sponsors: Senator Devine
Document Path: LC-0335HDB-GM26.docx
Introduced in the Senate on January 21, 2026
Adopted by the Senate on January 21, 2026
Summary: Rev. Dr. Lillie Burgess sympathy
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

1/21/2026

Senate

Introduced and adopted (
Senate Journal-page 8
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
01/21/2026

A
senate
RESOLUTION

to EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF
THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA Senate UPON THE PASSING OF rEVEREND dR.
Lillie a. bURGESS OF Richland COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO
HER LOVING FAMILY and church members AND to HER MANY FRIENDS.

W
hereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were saddened to
learn of the death of Lillie Burgess on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. One of six
children born to the late John and Eloise Thomas, she was reared in a loving
home with five siblings; and

W
hereas, in preparation for her distinguished career in academia, Dr.
Burgess earned a bachelor's degree in Bible and church ministries and a master's
degree in Christian education and biblical studies from Columbia International
University and a doctorate in comparative religion with a concentration in
Islamic religion at Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio; and

W
hereas, a faithful member of Ridgewood Baptist Church in Columbia, she
served there as an associate minister, advising and serving as president of the
Senior Women Mission team and as president of the Foreign Mission board. She
also served as president of the Gethsemane Women and she led thirty-three volunteer
foreign mission teams to East Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, Africa; South
Africa; Haiti; and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; and

W
hereas, through these missions, Dr. Burgess became a prominent
speaker on enhancing spiritual growth and international religious studies,
using her firsthand knowledge of East African religious landscapes to educate
audiences in the United States; and

W
hereas, recognized for her contributions to higher education, she was
a professor of philosophy and religion at Benedict College for twenty years in
the Social Sciences and Criminal Justice Department at Benedict College, developing
curricula, such as Foundations of Christian Education and Synoptic Gospels. She
became the first female campus minister in the 150-year history at Benedict
College; and

W
hereas, Dr. Burgess served as advisor to Theta Alpha Kappa, the
Religion and Philosophy National Honor Society, the Club for Religious Studies
and Theology, and the Benedict Byrd Section of the National Council of Negro
Women. Her commitment to higher education was honored at her alma mater,
Columbia International University, with the establishment of the Reverend Dr.
Lillie A. Burgess Scholarship to help African American students earn a quality
education; and

W
hereas, in 2010, her extensive work was honored with the Order of
the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian award. She received the AT&T
Teachers of Excellence achievement award and was named a Red Cross Hero for her
efforts in raising funds during the Haiti earthquake relief campaign; and

W
hereas, Dr. Burgess was honored for leading fundraising efforts for
foreign missions, including the Midlands Baptist Church Community Foreign
Missions Award, and for successful campaigns at Benedict College, most notably
for leading the Campaign of Women's Association who contributed the largest
amount for the 2015 Founder's Day; and

W
hereas, together with her beloved husband, the late Deacon McArthur
Burgess, she reared three fine children: Fredrick, Quinn, and Joycelyn. Blessed
with the affection of three loving grandchildren: Kelly, Jeremy, and Alissa
Rivera, she enjoyed two great-grandchildren, Justin Bartley and Leira Burgess;
and

W
hereas, Dr. Burgess authored three articles: "Living above
Circumstances," "A Lady Called Mosette," and "Pass It On." She lived for the
Lord and thanked Him for her rich experiences and her godly heritage. The South
Carolina Senate is grateful for the life and legacy of Lillie Burgess and for
the example of service and the standard of excellence she set for all who knew
her. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
Senate
:

T
hat the members of the South Carolina
Senate
,
by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Reverend
Dr. Lillie A. Burgess of Richland County and extend their deepest sympathy to
her loving family and church members and to her many friends.

B
e it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to
the family of Reverend Dr. Lillie A. Burgess.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 21, 2026 at 1:19 PM