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The State Ushers History
History of Baptist Ushers Education & Missionary Auxiliary Convention of South Carolina
Credited as Founders of the State Ushers Convention of South Carolina are Reverend Horace Pryner Sharper and Reverend Andrew Washington Stackhouse in May 1952. While traveling together homeward from an Annual Session of the State Baptist Education Missionary Auxiliary Convention, they were reflecting on events and discussing happenings during past sessions on how ushers helped and what could have been done differently, the idea then arose about a "United States Ushers Group"
It materialized during the seventy-sixth Annual Session of the Parent Body held with the First Baptist Church, Sumter, South Carolina. Reverend Sharper, Pastor, and Reverend G. G. Daniels, Parent Body's President.
About 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon following the morning message, Reverend Sharper asked all ushers, pastors, and other interested person to meet in the church basement. On Saturday, May 10, 1952 in a little basement room, a small group of men, women, and ushers from various churches over the state discussed the need for a united usher’s group. Reverend Sharper, who was pastor of First Baptist Church and a faculty member at Morris College, served as chairperson of the group. Closely associated with Reverend Sharper was great foresighted and supporter, Reverend Stackhouse, who was General Superintendent of the Kingston Lake Sunday School Convention and trustee of Morris College at that time.
The two of them had discussed the idea with numerous State and Local Officials, Pastors, Ushers, and persons they thought interested, including President O. R. Reuben of Morris College, all of whom approved the idea.
Officers that were elected to serve until the first session were:
President, Sis. Christine Givens (Mrs. W. M. Dixon)
1st Vice President, Mr. Charles Timmons
2nd Vice President, Mr. Melvin T. Thomas
Secretary, Miss Lessie E. Windley (Mrs. McCoy Leggette)
Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Emma Brown
Statical Secretary, Mr. James Stackhouse
Treasurer, Mr. Pearl Alford
Junior Ushers Supervisor, Mrs. Eugenia Fludd
State Ushers Supervisor, Rev. H. P. Sharper
Director of Public Relations, Rev. S. E. Kay and Rev. A. W. Stackhouse
Executive Board Members were:
Mr. Herbert Grant, Mr. Charlie Ford, Mr. Robert Johnson, Mr. Lonnie Pouncy, Mr. Joe S. Brown, Mr. Solomon Ellison, Mrs. Susie Canty, Miss Flossie Stanley, Mr. Woodrow Thompson, Deacon W. M. Dixon, Rev. J. P. Faison, Chairperson
The name chosen was: The State Ushers Convention of South Carolina. In 1971 the word Auxiliary was added to donate relationship to the Parent Body.
The purpose of this auxiliary is:
1. To promote uniformity of duties among ushers statewide
2. To support Morris college as a priority
3. To support other institutions of Higher Education: Benedict College, Friendship was especially named and Morris College
4. To perform service in numerous ways and means for home and foreign mission
Major contributions made other than providing for Christian Leadership in this Ministry. We have made toward the financial obligation $10,000.00 to the liquidation of an outstanding debt, updated our giving from $700.00 to $2,000.00 annually, purchased a van for transportation, purchased furniture for dormitory use, etc. and finally connected with the National Convention USA, Inc.
Dr. Daisy B. Alexander
1986-1996
The second President of the Baptist Education and Missionary Auxiliary Convention of South Carolina was Dr. Daisy B. Alexander, she served from 1986-1996.
Major contributions made during her presidency were:
1. Put a new roof on President of Morris College house and paid off the mortgage
2. Started the Ushers Banquet
3. Traveled statewide to local churches and associations to encourage the ushers to attend the state convention
4. Purchased a van for Morris College students to travel
5. Donated $15,000.00 to Morris College Choral Choir
6. Started the upgrade to Morris College Security Booth
7. Donated $1,000 to statewide YWA
Officers that served during Dr. Daisy B. Alexander time was:
President, Dr. Daisy B. Alexander
1st Vice President, Bro. R. J. Pepper, Dr. C. O. Jackson
2nd Vice President, Bro. Dwight Rutledge, Sis. Sarah Blakeney
Secretary, Sis. Eunice Evans, Sis. Lessie Legette
Assistant Secretary, Sis. Elma Lee McAlister, Sis. Rebecca Luster
Treasurer, Bro. Woodrow Thompson, Sis. Eugenia C. Fludd
Chairman of Finance, Bro. Joe S. Brown
Financial Secretary, Sis. Elouise D. Wright
Assistant Financial Secretary, Sis. Eugenia C. Fludd
Ushers Supervisors, Rev. R. W. Stalling, Rev. B. W. McMahand, Rev. W. S. Randolph, Rev. Waldo Robinson
Parliamentarian, Rev. Willis C. Graham, Dr. Charles Levy, Jr.
Supervisor, Sis. Eugenia Fludd
Ushers Convention Nurse, Sis. Hattie Rice, Sis. Gwendolyn Ashmore
Musician, Sis. Lytease Barksdale
Assistant Musician, Bro. Randolph Wright
Dr. C. O. Jackson
1996-2001
Our third president, Dr. C. O. Jackson, took the gavel from 1996 to 2001. Focusing his administration on equipping the body in Christian Education, Leadership, and Service as Doorkeepers. Under his leadership with much foresight and prayer, Dr. Jackson commissioned us to begin the process establishing a Platform, a Logo, a Watch Word and a Mission Statement adopted on January 16, 1999. To continue the mission of serving as meeters, greeters, and seaters the body composed and adopted a mission statement taken from 1 Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order”. We continued to follow the vision and work of our founders with providing support to Morris College, Benedict College and Friendship College. Some of the hallmarks of his administration included helping with the liquidation of the mortgage on the O. R. Reuben Chapel, Spiritual Enrichment Conference and the first Appreciation Banquet which recognized Mrs. Eunice Evans and Mrs. Laura Jackson.
Officers that served during Dr. C. O. Jackson time:
President, Dr. C. O. Jackson
1st Vice President, Sis. Sarah Blakeney
2nd Vice President, Bro. David H. Montgomery
Recording Secretary, Sis. Celestine Simmons (1996 – 1998)
Assistant Recording Secretary, Sis. Daphne L. Watts
Treasurer, Bro. Andrew Smith
Financial Secretary, Sis. Anna Marie Spells, Sis. Patricia Cohen
Assistant Financial Secretary, Sis. Janie Watson
Parliamentarian, Rev. Charles Levy, Jr.
Supervisor, Dr. Waldo Robinson
Historian, Sis Eunice Evans
Musician, Sis. Lytease Barksdale
Assistant Musician, Bro. Randolph Wright
Youth Supervisor, Rev. Grover Pepper
Assistant Youth Supervisor, Bro. Melvin McClellan
Convention Nurse, Rev. Maurice Watts
Sis. Sarah Blakeney-Pope
2001-2006
The fourth president was Sis. Blakeney-Pope, she served from 2001 through 2006, she diligently worked in pursuing and adding a number of new churches. In advancing our Ushers Convention she held various workshops across the state helping to foster an environment for strong spiritual bonds giving them the motivation and willingness to join the usher convention. Under her leadership, she inspired us to provide continued financial support to Morris College and Benedict College. Contributions to special projects at Morris College which included renovation of security booth and paving the running track at a cost of $25,000.00. In an effort to work more cooperatively with the parent body in 2004 a joint annual session was coordinated. Letting God continue to guide her; we adopted our State Ushers Badge and renamed the Ushers Banquet to Dr. Daisy B. Alexander Ushers Banquet.
Officers that served during Sis. Sarah Blakeney-Pope time:
President, Sis. Sarah Blakeney-Pope
1st Vice President, Bro. David H. Montgomery
2nd Vice President, Sis Anna Marie Spells
Recording Secretary, Sis. Daphne L. Watts
Assistant Recording Secretary, Sis. Linda King
Corresponding Secretary, Sis. Charmaine P. Byrd
Treasurer, Bro. Luke Daniels
Financial Secretary, Sis. Patricia Cohen
Assistant Financial Secretary, Sis. Flossie Hall
Parliamentarian, Dr. C. O. Jackson
Supervisor, Dr. Waldo Robinson
Historian, Sis. Eunice E. Evans
Musician, Sis. Lytease Barksdale
Assistant Musician, Bro. Randolph E. Wright
Youth Supervisor, Sis. Shirley Redmond
Assistant Youth Supervisor, Bro. Melvin McClellan
Convention Nurse, Rev. Maurice Watts
Assistant Convention Nurse, Sis. Vickie Keels
Bro. David H. Montgomery
2006-2011
The fifth president was Bro. David H. Montgomery he served from 2006 through 2011. During his administration he encouraged us to continue the contribution to Morris and Benedict College with a ten percent increase each year and these funds were contributed to the endowment fund. He also encouraged us to increase our yearly contribution to headquarters by ten percent. President David H. Montgomery traveled all over the state doing workshops and encouraged other churches and associations to attend the Ushers’ State Convention. The constitution was revised. In 2010, he encouraged us to take the convention into the hotel and we started by going to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. We contributed comfort items annually to the female veterans at Dorm Hospital in Columbia, SC. We have volunteered weekly drivers to the Veteran Hospital in Columbia, SC. Financial contributions were made to the Multiple Sclerosis and Sickle Cell Foundation.
Officers that served during Bro. David H. Montgomery time:
President, Bro. David H. Montgomery
1st Vice President, Sis. Anna Marie Spells
2nd Vice President, Sis. Daphne L. Watts
Recording Secretary, Sis. Linda King
Assistant Recording Secretary, Sis. Sharon Norman
Correspondence Secretary, Sis. Betty Robinson
Treasurer, Sis. Cora Chapman
Financial Secretary, Sis. Flossie Hall
Assistant Financial Secretary, Sis. Patricia Cohen
Parliamentarian, Bro. Luke Daniels
Historian, Bro. Gary Williams (2009)
Youth Supervisor, Sis. Cheryl Merritt (2010)
Assistant Youth Supervisor, Sis. Judy Jones
Supervisor, Rev. Thomas Sloan
The following Committees were formed to serve during the president tenure:
Budget & Finance
Constitution & Nominating
Arts & Craft
Scholarship
Staff Development & Training
Ways & Means/Housing & Banquet
Sis. Juanita Sanders
2011-2016
The sixth president was Sister Juanita Sanders; she served from 2011 through 2016. During her administration she encouraged us to continue the contribution to Morris and Benedict College. President Dr. Juanita Sanders traveled all over the state doing workshops and encouraging other churches and associations to attend the Ushers' State Convention. She continues to encourage the contribution of comfort items annually to the female veterans at Dorn Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Sis. Sanders also contributed to the Sickle Cell Foundation, through the National Baptist Convention USA. She encouraged that a Strong Association, make Strong State Convention make strong National Baptist Convention.
Officers that served during Sis. Juanita Sanders time:
President, Sis. Juanita Sanders
Special Assistant to President, Sis. Anna Marie Spells
Personal Assistant, Sis. Sherry Howard
1st Vice President, Sis. Patricia Threatt
2nd Vice President, Sis. Shirley Redmond
Recording Secretary, Sis. Sharon Norman (2011 – 2012)
Recording Secretary, Sis. Linda King (2012)
Assistant Recording Secretary, Sis. Margaret Agustus
Corresponding Secretary, Sis. Lou Amye Odom (2011 - 2012)
Corresponding Secretary, Sis. Lovie Simmons Howell
Treasurer, Bro. Charlie Bradley
Financial Secretary, Sis. Patricia Cohen
Assistant Financial Secretary, Sis. Cora L. Chapman
Parliamentarian, Bro. George Anderson
Youth Supervisor, Sis. Melissa Ricks
Assistant Youth Supervisor, Sis. Ethel Rawlinson
Youth Officers:
President, Sis. Selena Magazine
1st Vice President, Bro. Devin Calvert
2nd Vice President, Tayvian Gas
Secretary, Sis. Jaleah Knight
Sis. Patricia Threatt
2016-2020
The seventh president was Sis. Patricia Threatt, she served from 2016 through 2020 during her administration she encouraged us to continue the contribution to Morris and Benedict College. President Patricia Threatt traveled all over the state doing workshops and encouraging other churches and associations to attend the Ushers’ State Convention. She continued to encourage the contribution of comfort items annually to the female veterans at Dorm Hospital in Columbia, SC. She contributed to the Sickle Cell Foundation, the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention, USA. Under her leadership a November luncheon was held, during this program all the church presidents from each association received a certificate of appreciation for their support to the state ushers.
Officers that served during Sis. Patricia Threatt time:
President, Sis. Patricia Threatt
1st Vice President, Sis. Shirley Redmond
2nd Vice President, Sis. Lovie Simmons Howell
Recording Secretary, Sis. Janice Brown (2017 – 2018)
Recording Secretary, Sis. Linda King (2018)
Assistant Recording Secretary, Sis. Lela Gilliard
Corresponding Secretary, Sis. Geneva Nelson
Treasurer, Bro. Jake Myers (2016 – 2017)
Treasurer, Bro. Charlie Bradley (2017)
Financial Secretary, Sis. Carrie Lynn
Assistant Financial Secretary, Sis. Lisa Bell
Parliamentarian, Bro. Willie Priester
Youth Supervisor, Sis. Vickie Scipio
Assistant Youth Supervisor, Sis. Delores Williams
Youth Officers:
President, Sis. Maya Alston
1st Vice President, Bro. Jeffrey Jackson
2nd Vice President, Bro. Daniel. Rafus
Secretary, Sis. Akeyla Gaskin
Assistant Secretary, Bro. Darrius Fogle
Treasurer, Sis. Gabrielle White