The Bamberg County Council presented a resolution on March 10 to commemorate the 101st birthday of Mrs. Lena R. Ford Sherman, according to a March 24 announcement from the Bamberg County Administration.
The recognition highlights Mrs. Sherman’s long life, commitment to her family, and service within her community, underscoring the value local leaders place on celebrating residents who have made lasting contributions.
Mrs. Sherman was born on January 1, 1925, in Bamberg, South Carolina and is the only daughter among four children raised by Janie and Kisler Raysor on their family farm. She attended public school in the Clear Pond Community before marrying James Herman Ford with whom she had twelve children—seven daughters and five sons. After Mr. Ford’s passing, she married Deacon George Sherman and welcomed seven more children into her blended family.
Today, Mrs. Sherman is grandmother to thirty-eight grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, and forty-two great-great-grandchildren—a legacy that spans multiple generations in Bamberg County. Her personal interests include reading her Bible, doing word searches, fishing, and driving.
A devoted member of Union Baptist Church under Pastor B.J. Donaldson’s leadership, Mother Sherman remains an active source of wisdom for both her church family and wider community members through ongoing encouragement and spiritual support.
Councilman Larry Haynes sponsored the resolution honoring Mrs. Sherman’s “lifetime of faith, family devotion, and service.” The council extended its “deepest gratitude, admiration, and best wishes to Mrs. Sherman and her family” while celebrating “her extraordinary life and enduring legacy.”
The broader significance of this recognition reflects how local communities continue to honor individuals whose lives exemplify dedication not only within families but also through steadfast involvement in civic life.
