County hall of fame ceremony
Rev. Means, Hoke Parris inducted
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Earnestine Means, escorted by her son Fleming, steps down from the stage carrying the hall of fame plaque honoring her late husband, Rev. Fleming Means Sr. The former school trustee was inducted into the Cherokee County Hall of Fame on Tuesday along with county council chairman Hoke Parris.

Years of work by Cherokee County Council Chairman Hoke Parris and the late Rev. Fleming J. Means were recognized Tuesday as they were inducted into the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

"I am so thankful to be inducted into the Hall of Fame," Parris said. "It is truly an honor."

A native of the county, Parris is a graduate of Gaffney High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He also is president of the Draytonville Water Works, a position he has held since its inception in 1979.

The council chairman was quite emotional while delivering his acceptance speech.

"To be inducted with a man who for many years delivered the Gospel and on the same night be in the presence of our country's ambassador to Canada... it is truly unbelievable and is a blessing," Parris said.

The late Rev. Means served the country during World War II with the Navy before becoming a big part of the county's school system, working as either a teacher or principal at Academy Street, Granard High and West Junior High schools.

He was also a member of the Cherokee County School Board while also serving as associate pastor at Bethel Baptist Church. He passed away in December of 2006.

Rev. Means' wife, Earnestine, and their son Fleming Means Jr., accepted the award on his behalf.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins spoke to the crowd at the Broad River Electric Auditorium.

"I went up to Canada expecting to learn more about their country. I have definitely done that, but I learned more about our country as well," Wilkins said.

The former South Carolina Speaker of the House talked about the country's relationship with our friends to the North as well as their position alongside the United States in foreign affairs.

"The relationship between our countries is getting stronger," Wilkins said. "They are as interested in what happens politically and economically as we are."