The Order of the Palmetto was presented to Mrs. Janis Kinsey Blocker on Sunday, June 28, at the Walterboro Wildlife Center. Many family members, friends, and officials joined together to congratulate Mrs. Blocker on her lifelong achievements.
The invocation was given by Shane Roberts who welcomed the group and gave the prayer based on Matthew 25:21 - “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of your lord” (KJV). Mr. Roberts emphasized Mrs. Blocker’s strong faith in God in addition to her love for her family and friends.
Scott Biering, Colleton County Council chairman, recognized Mrs. Blocker for her leadership and teaching of grammar. He promised that he learned from her to proofread twice. She taught him to write clearly and be faithful to himself. He recalled sitting on the sofa in Mrs. Blocker’s home to discuss running for County Council, and he thanked her for her wisdom.
Cyndi Brewer Roberts, the newly elected chairwoman for the Colleton County Republican Party, recognized the elected officials. She commented that she had learned from Mrs. Blocker, the former chairwoman of the Colleton County Republican Party, that everyone was to be of “one mind,” and that mind was Mrs. Blocker’s. Mrs. Roberts thanked Mrs. Blocker for her valuable service and investment in numerous generations in Colleton County. While Mrs. Blocker was working on Dr. Joseph Flowers’ Order of the Palmetto, Mrs. Roberts and others were secretly working on a plan to recognize Mrs. Blocker with the South Carolina Order of the Crescent. Mrs. Roberts was pleased when Governor Henry McMaster personally called her in March to say that he would not give Mrs. Blocker that commendation; he chose instead to recognize her with the prestigious Order of the Palmetto. Mrs. Roberts stated that finding a date when Mrs. Blocker was not already scheduled for another event proved to be quite a challenge, but they were able to finalize plans before informing Mrs. Blocker of this honor.
Representative Robby Robbins issued greetings from Governor McMaster who had a previously scheduled event commemorating our nation’s 250th celebration. Representative Robbins said that he felt as if he had been adopted as a Colletonian, and he recognized Mrs. Blocker and Mary Anne Cannady, Colleton County Republican leader, for meeting with him several years ago to encourage him to run for the South Carolina House of Representatives. He explained that Van Hipp, Jr. former South Carolina Republican Party chairman and present day chairman of American Defense International; Lindsey Graham, United States Senator; and he all wrote letters of recommendation. To his knowledge, Representative Robbins said this is the only time that Senator Graham has written a letter of recommendation for anyone. Representative Robbins stated that Mrs. Blocker is worthy of far much more because she embodies the spirit of South Carolina and the Lowcountry. Mrs. Blocker has inspired so many and has never met a stranger. Representative Robbins concluded by saying that Mrs. Blocker reminded him of a simple hymn - “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”
Mrs. Blocker claimed that she was rarely overwhelmed because she prided herself for knowing everything that was going on in the county. However, she was surprised to learn of this distinguished award being bestowed on her. She thanked Mr. Hipp, Senator Lindsey, and Representative Robbins - as well as local city and county leaders - for their everlasting support. She also recognized all of the previous Colleton County recipients of the Order of the Palmetto, after which she said that she was in “good company.” Mrs. Blocker thanked her supportive family as well people who have been on numerous committees with her in the church, city, county, and state. She is especially proud to have been married to David Blocker for 68 years. She has taught three generations of Colleton County students during her fruitful years in education. She quoted two of her favorite slogans – “Bloom where you are planted” taken loosely from scripture, and “No matter how dreary or gray our homes are, … there is no place like home” from The Wizard of Oz.
Mrs. Blocker always concludes her emails with the following quote, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24. Those in attendance rejoiced in Mrs. Blocker’s life and contributions.
At the program’s conclusion, the large group enjoyed a delicious meal and a slice of Mrs. Blocker’s cake commemorating the occasion.
