A house RESOLUTION

to honor the life of carl marks simpson iii of sumter upon his passing, to celebrate his memory and his contributions to the citizens of sumter, and to extend the deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn that Carl Marks Simpson III passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of eighty-two; and

Whereas, born in Montgomery, Alabama, on November 27, 1941, he was the son of the late Carl Marks Simpson, Jr., and Frances Ray Simpson; and

Whereas, having graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from the University of South Carolina, Mr. Simpson was the owner of Simpson Hardware Co.; and

Whereas, owned previously by his father, Simpson Hardware was founded in 1951 and expanded to include stores in Camden, Hartsville, and Sumter. Under Carl Simpson III's tenure, a second Sumter location at Palmetto Plaza was added in 1963, and with this growth, the hardware store became widely known for its sporting and lawn and garden goods; and

Whereas, on April 9, 2000, the Palmetto Plaza store burned to the ground, and following several temporary relocations, Simpson Hardware Co. reopened in its new building on Wesmark Boulevard in 2002. Today there are five Simpson Hardware locations: three in Sumter, one in Manning, and one in Lake City; and

Whereas, now in its third generation of family operation, Carl Simpson III remained at the helm of the business until his passing. He was named Sumter's 2002 Business Person of the Year immediately following the catastrophic loss and subsequent reopening of the Palmetto Plaza Store; and

Whereas, remembered by the community as a savvy businessman, for a smaller group, his family, he is remembered for his legal pads, manila folders, thick rubber bands, and knowledge of South Carolina basketball statistics. Mr. Simpson valued accuracy, efficiency, and economy, but was most admired for his ability to integrate his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and businessman into a loving and fulfilling life; and

Whereas, Mr. Simpson leaves behind his dear wife of 58 years, Catherine "Cathy" Mellon Simpson; his three daughters, Leigh Carraway (Frankie), Amy Ohl (Jeremy), and Molly Matthews (Shawn), all of Sumter; one brother, Robert Simpson (Vicki) of Sumter; two sisters, Anne Simpson of Elgin and Jan King (George) of Mt. Pleasant; six grandchildren, Tanner Carraway (Emily), Addison Segars Carraway, Mary Catherine Matthews, Lucy Spain Matthews, Shawn Michael Matthews, and Simpson "Sims" Foster Matthews, all of Sumter; and one great-grandchild, Lyla Carraway. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the life of Carl Marks Simpson III of Sumter upon his passing, celebrate his memory and his contributions to the citizens of Sumter, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Carl Marks Simpson III.

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