[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1902

[Marty McKenzie]

January 23, 2023
Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1902
843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com

Dear Federation Family,

On Friday, January 20, 2023, the NFB of SC lost one of its original founding members. Marshall Tucker left this world and entered his eternal rest. Here is an article provided by David Houck on his many accomplishments and his work in the NFB of SC.

Marshall Tucker was an active member and supporter of the Federation since its inception in 1944. From the beginning until 1975, the NFB of SC was known as the Association of the Blind of South Carolina. Founded by Dr. Samuel Miller Lawton under an apple tree, Marshall was one of its founding members. He was involved in many aspects concerning blindness. At that time, Marshall was a piano tuner in Spartanburg and the Marshall Tucker Band was named after him.

Marshall Tucker served as state President in the 1960’s. He worked tirelessly on closing down the Association’s run down workshop which hired the blind who lived in poor conditions. From 1962 to 1966, Marshall Tucker, Donald Capps and others saw the need for a separate state agency for the blind, and on May 6, 1966, the SC Commission for the Blind was established. By the way, the Association’s Workshop property was given to the Commission.

Marshall took his first trip to Washington DC in 1968 and moved to Columbia that same year. In 2017, Marshall and his lovely wife Lois celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary, being married in 1972. She was always at his side in all that he accomplished.

Marshall spoke historically at the NFB of SC’s 75th anniversary and he was present at the Federation Center’s 50th and 60th anniversary celebrations. During 2022, the NFB national office did an oral history on Marshall Tucker.

Marshall and Lois Tucker were very hospitable and they were generous in giving to all aspects of the Federation throughout the years. We will all miss Marshall Tucker as he died at age 99. We extend to Lois Tucker our best wishes, condolences and love.

The van for Washington Seminar will depart the Federation Center on Sunday, January 29, 2023 and return on Thursday, February 2, 2023. Everyone is excited about the work the NFB of SC delegation will do while in Washington. Long-time leaders of the Federation, along with new members, will meet with members of Congress to discuss the need for the three pieces of legislation being supported this year. For more information, visit www.nfb.org/washington-seminar<http://www.nfb.org/washington-seminar>.

From Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs Debra Canty and Andrew Adams
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Fundraising Committee invites you to A Night of Love…

Who: Anyone
What: Sweethearts Ball
When: Saturday February 11th from 5pm to 9pm
Where: Federation Center located at 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205
❤️ Tickets are $30 per person
❤️ 3 course meal as well as music, dancing and fellowship
❤️ Deadline to purchase tickets is February 1st
❤️ Dress Attire is Casual
❤️ Tickets can be purchased through PayPal at www.nfbofsc.org<http://www.nfbofsc.org> and click donations or you can send a check or money order to 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205 and make sure to put sweethearts in memo field.

For mor information on how to purchase tickets or for help purchasing tickets, please reach out to Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803 or Debra Canty at 803-775-5792.

Here is David Houck’s Federation fun fact for this week! Let’s continue to read and learn together about our rich history in South Carolina.

          The August 4 to 6, 2000 NFB of SC Convention at the Columbia Sheraton Hotel was preceded by then NFB of SC President Dr. & Mrs. Capps taking our National Representative, the then NFB President Dr. Marc Maurer to visit RBRCCB. About 350 delegates registered. The NFB of SC at that time consisted of 60 local chapters and 5 statewide divisions. Following usual procedures.

Friday afternoon and evening of the convention were taken up with NFB of SC divisional meetings, the resolutions and other committee meetings highlighted with the evening Reception. Saturday sessions dealt with state agency reports as well as the Rocky Bottom and Federation Center reports.  There was celebration in getting Carol Randolph’s job back with the Greenville County School District as they had discriminated against her.

What made this convention extra special was President Capps announcing that he was stepping down as NFB of SC President but not stepping away. U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond was present at the luncheon and the keynote speaker was S.C. Representative Rita Allison who also received the Legislator of the Year Award. Dr. Capps was presented the Order of the Palmetto and Betty Capps was presented the Order of the Silver Crescent. Irene Casey received the Educator Award, ANC Rental received the Employer Award, Julius Broughton received the Ellen Beach Mack Home Award, Darlene Houck received the Associate Member award and Carey Burriss received the Donald C. Capps Award.

Passing the torch to the next President of the NFB of SC, the convention unanimously elected Parnell Diggs as President. He served with distinction until 2015 when the torch was passed on to President Frank Coppel.

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