by Gloria Wilson-Gourdin
| Rev. Amos L. Gourdine, was born 1943 in Pineville, South Carolina. He is the son of Jethro Gourdine, Jr., and the former Emma Washington of Pineville, South Carolina. Reverend Gourdine served in the U.S. Army for three years and served in the Vietnam War where he received the Vietnam Campaign, Good Conduct, and Sharp Shooter Medals. He was honorably discharged in 1968 as a Sergeant, Specialist E-5. While serving in the Army he met the love of his life and in 1967 he married the former Helene White, his bride of 30 years. They now reside in Pineville, South Carolina and are the proud parents of four grown children: Angela (married Robert Bethea), who resides in Korea; Olivia (married Patrick Gerald), St. Stephens, South Carolina; Danita (married Willie Brown), St. Stephens, South Carolina; and Alfreda who resides in Germany. He also has four grandchildren. Reverend Gourdine was elected to the South Carolina General Assembly during November 1996. He represents Berkeley County, which includes the communities of Alvin, Bonneau, Cainhoy, Cordesville, Cross, Hilton Cross Road, Huger, Jamestown, Lebanon, Ridgeville, Shulerville, and St. Stephen. Reverend Gourdine graduated from Trident Technical College (formerly Palmer College) and in 1981 he graduated from Charleston Southern University. Although Reverend Gourdine is a retired officer of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, he continues to wear many hats. He is the pastor of St. Peter's Baptist Church; a State Representative; and a Community activist. He is a member of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association; past Master of Jefferson/Grant Lodge #315 (1991); Thurgood Marshall Consistory (1990); Board of Trustees, Morris College Extension School of Religion; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7723. In his spare time he enjoys hunting and fishing. Reverend Gourdine said his "role model growing up as a child was his older brother Jethro Gourdine, III." When asked what advice would you give young people today? He replied "Stay in school, learn all that you can, and always be obedient." He takes no credit for his accomplishments but said "I owe it all to the Lord Jesus Christ and hard work, because we can do nothing without him since we are nothing without Him." Reverend Gourdine is enjoying life and the things he is doing and plans to continue pastoring and possibly seek re-election to the South Carolina General Assembly. |