A former South Carolina lawmaker and Richland County educator recently passed away.
Rep. Jimmy Bales, who represented his Lower Richland House district for 22 years, died Sept. 25 on what was his 86th birthday.
Bales died at his home surrounded by family, according to his obituary.
“Jimmy was a man of few, yet ever-powerful words. He was the loving patriarch of the family, always providing encouragement and support to everyone in the family. He was also a true public servant, endeavoring to improve all lives he touched,” Bales’ obituary said. “He will be greatly missed.”
State Rep. Chandra Dillard, D-Greenville, took to Twitter to pay her respects to Bales.
“It was my honor to serve with the Honorable Jimmy Bales,” she wrote. “He was a statesman and dedicated servant of the people. Sending my condolences to his family.
Bales was born on Sept. 25, 1935 in Rose Hill, Virginia and proceeded to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College, a master’s from East Tennessee State University and a doctorate in education from the University of South Carolina that he earned in 1975.
His public service began on the Richland County Council before he was elected to the House of Representatives in the late 1990s.
