Henry William Brevard II

Dr. Henry William Brevard, II, a native of Camden, South Carolina, lived a life defined by service, leadership, faith, and an unwavering commitment to education, community, and family. Affectionately known as “Bubba” by his family and close friends, he was the son of the late Henry W. Brevard and Belle Wood Brevard. He graduated from Mather Academy in 1955 and went on to attend South Carolina State University, where he excelled as a student athlete, lettering in football, track, and basketball. He was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame for football and track in 2000 and later named one of the Top 100 South Carolina State University Athletes during the institution’s Centennial Celebration in 2007.

Dr. Brevard became the first alumnus of South Carolina State University to earn three degrees from the institution: a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Biology in 1960, a Master of Science in Education and Biology in 1969, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration in 1986. He served six years on the university’s Board of Trustees and was the first graduate to be elected its chairman. He devoted more than 55 years to the Berkeley County School District, serving as a teacher, coach, athletic director at Central High School in Cross, principal of Sandridge Elementary School, Associate Superintendent for Instruction, Director of Adult Education, and Assistant Superintendent for Planning and Development. After retiring in 1994, he continued his service as an Expulsion Hearing Officer until 2015.

A dedicated public servant, Dr. Brevard served on the Moncks Corner Town Council in 1985 and contributed to numerous boards and organizations, including the Community Education Advisory Board, Berkeley County Vocational Advisory Board, Palmetto Low Country Health Association, and the Board of Directors of First National Bank. His many honors included Adult Education Director of the Year in 1977, the South Carolina Department of Education Award for Community Service in 1979, the Service Award for Program Development in 1981, and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award in 1990.

A man of deep faith, Dr. Brevard served as a Eucharistic Minister at Redeemer Episcopal Church in Pineville, South Carolina. He was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a Life Member of the Briner Lodge #365 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of South Carolina, and a Life Member of the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association. On June 10, 1961, he married Mildred Gilmore in Gaffney, South Carolina, in what became a historic moment as the first Black couple to wed in the previously all-white Church of the Incarnation. Their marriage of 47 years ended with her passing in 2008. He was preceded in death by his son, Darryl W. Brevard, his sister, Henrietta B. Mitchell, and several other family members. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Nicole Brevard-Hines and Edison Hines, his daughter-in-law Dr. Veronica Richmond Brevard, granddaughters VaShannon Brevard and Hadyn Hines, adopted granddaughter Amethyst Ganaway, and a loving extended family who will carry forward his legacy of service and excellence.