Lower Richland County, S.C. is a far cry from Calcutta, India; however, they share an extraordinary commonality: Each has lost an Icon who personified altruism. Both Icons were ladies from poor upbringings, yet self–motivated. Both women testified to have specifically felt the call of God at age 12. The obvious half of this equation is Mother Theresa. The less obvious, Mary Shivers, who would have turned 83 today.
Like the early Mother Theresa, Mary Shivers was unconventional. She rose to action without prompt. Took the initiative. Stepped boldly before the Throne in an effort to help those less fortunate. Unlike the established Theresa of Calcutta, Mary Shivers did not receive her orders from The Holy See; rather, she created, from scratch, an intricate network and an innate sense of “Community” in Lower Richland County, South Carolina that could—at a moment’s notice—console a new widow, clothe a needy child, feed a hungry family, open up a shut–in, fund a lifesaving operation or, in my experience, elect a public official.
Twenty– two years ago, I faced an uphill battle as an unknown, inexperienced, unconnected, anti– establishment write–in candidate for House District 80. Blowing in to my makeshift campaign headquarters after an unproductive morning of fundraising, I was delighted to see the message light flashing on my machine. “This is Mary. I have a Beauty Salon. You don’t know me. We don’t know you. I got your letter. It’s O.K., but we’re pretty upset out here, and you might want to stop by the shop to talk about it. Oh yeah, it’s on Terry Street. You’ll find it.”
Before the answering machine reset, I was out the door. Within five minutes, I was sitting in a single–wide, amongst six animated, big–haired women convening for their weekly “wash–and–sets. The only thing more pungent than the chemicals in the air was the realization that I had stumbled into what can only be described as a “central nervous system” of public opinion. In the two decades that have followed that first meeting at Mary’s Beauty Salon, I have faced some tough times and rough audiences, but none surpasses this initiation into politics. Five hours later, I emerged from the single–wide, a little dizzier and LOT savvier than when I had entered it.
At Mary Shivers’ visitation and funeral on January 10 of this year, you only needed to look around the crowd to see that my political rite of passage was just the first of many to follow for Richland County politicians: Jimmy Bales, Leon Lott, Joe Neal, Tony Mizzell, Bernice Scott, and many more elected and non–elected politicos punctuated the standingroom–only celebration of a life well–lived.
But to describe Mary Shivers as a mere political influence should be classified as a Class–A Felony!
I truly think it fair to say that no person breathing air on this Earth could live a MORE God–centered life than Mary Shivers. Race, creed, color, national origin, orientation (party or otherwise) were of no consequence to her. A charter member of Temple Baptist Church and the proud mother of renowned Evangelist Frank “Brother” Shivers, Mary had a strict moral code, which, incidentally, would never include casting judgment on others: “I hate the sin, but love the sinner.” She was also quick to admit her own weaknesses: “Don’t judge a book by its cover; don’t judge a preacher by his mother!” I can close my eyes and see her saying it to this day.
Mary Shivers was blessed with an energy that few mortals share. She was impossible to keep up with. The Capital View Homeowners’ Association, Order of the Eastern Star, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lower Richland Ruritan Club, Red Hat Society, and Camp Longridge were just a few of the organizations whose lifeblood pulsed through her veins. Additionally, Mary was a near full– time caterer who assigned every dime of revenue to charity. All this while working full–time as a licensed beautician since 1963: A job even Sen. Robert Ford would be pressed to call “hard work!”
Albeit not by her design, Mary received accolades during her lifetime from her community, her church, the Richland County Council and Sheriff, the South Carolina House and Senate, and the Office of the Governor. But, it was SERVICE, not honors or accolades that drove this Lady.
Nearly everyone whom I have come across in life selfishly houses some want in return for his efforts. I am no different. I worked hard for my District when elected, but I selfishly wanted my constituent’s vote in return. At my law office, I work hard for my clients, but I selfishly want to get paid for my services. This is where Mary Shivers stands alone. With the unparalleled, gargantuan workload this one woman consistently maintained throughout her 83 years, she never held a selfish want for a single thing. Ever. It was always about others.
There’s no doubt that Mary Shivers was a second mother to me. On January 10, Columbia was blanketed with a beautiful cover of snow. As I sat in my Florida Room enjoying this novelty with my own mother, my new Christmas wristwatch stopped at 3:30 pm. As did the clock in my living room. As did the clock on my bedroom wall. As I drove Mom home, I feared what I was to learn an hour later. Mary’s daughter Linda called to tell me she had died.
In her own way, Mary was telling me goodbye. This forum, while unconventional, is an appropriate place for me do the same. God bless you, Mary Shivers. Mother Theresa, welcome your Sister.
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