[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH McCANTS RAVENELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an everyday 
hero, whose abiding faith led her to a remarkable life of Christian 
service. Deaconess Elizabeth McCants Ravenell passed from this life on 
February 12, 2012, but her legacy lives on in everyone she touched.
  Elizabeth McCants Ravenell was born on November 25, 1922 in Moncks 
Corner, South Carolina. She attended the public schools of Charleston 
County, but her calling was a Christian education. She earned 
certificates from the House of God Academy and Bible College and a 
degree from the Moody Bible Institute.
  Mrs. Ravenell was a devout Christian, and devoted her life to her 
family and her faith. She first joined the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in 
North Charleston in 1943. Two years later, she and her husband joined 
the House of God--Keith Dominion, when their oldest child, Mary 
Elizabeth was just one year old.
  As a member of the House of God, Mrs. Ravenell served in many 
capacities. She was a part of the National Complex committee, Deacons 
Union, Chief Overseer's Anniversary Committee, and the International 
Missionary Outreach Society.
  She sailed the Mediterranean Sea, ministering in Madrid, Spain as a 
guest of a community church her daughter, Margaret Catherine, 
organized. She represented the Piedmont Diocese of South Carolina in 
Mississippi. Mrs. Ravenell also took many visitors to the church's 
General Assembly in Nashville,. Tennessee, and provided food, clothes 
and shelter for many of them.
  She met her husband, James L. Ravenell in Charleston, South Carolina. 
The couple had six children, and numerous grandchildren, great 
grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Mrs. Ravenell was also 
``mother'' to all of the children of the church. Children gave her the 
greatest joy in life, and she doted on all of them. I met Ms. Ravenell 
soon after marrying into the McCants family over 50 years ago. We 
became fast friends and remained so until her death.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in celebrating 
an abundant life well lived. Elizabeth Ravenell was a dear friend of 
the family and light to all who knew her. She radiated her Christian 
faith and spent her life doing good works. While her presence will be 
missed, she has left the world a better place because of her devotion 
and service to others.

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