Mr. James Lewis Solomon, Jr.
(August 24, 1930 - November 29, 2024)
Viewing Location: Leevy's Funeral Home, 1831 Taylor Street, Columbia, South Carolina
Viewing Date & Time: Friday, December 6, 2024 / 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
Funeral Location: Saint John Baptist Church, 3404 West Beltline Boulevard, Columbia, South Carolina
Funeral Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024 / 11:00 A.M.
Interment Location: Monday, December 9, 2024 / Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, South Carolina
To Mrs. Helen Solomon & family, Mr. Solomon was my commissioner @ DSS. I loved, admired & respected his wisdom, guidance & demeanor. I would see him @ times in the local grocery store & he would say hi Ms. Charleston to me, you still stirring up & I would say Yes! We both would laugh! He was so easy to talk to & always made you feel comfortable! He was a wonderful person & I’ll always remember him & what he meant to me! Prayers, Condolences, love & Gods continued strength to the family during this difficult time.
Dr Solomon was an icon of educational leadership, civic service and Christian gentlemanliness. Growing up on the campus of Morris College, I remember that Professor James Solomon was one of a tight knit team upon whom the late President O R Reuben relied to help lead Morris College. When several of us led the integration of Sumter School District 17, Dr Solomon encouraged and supported me to take all of the advanced math classes at Edmunds High. This helped lay the needed math foundation for my studies in economics and finance.
Dr Solomon was a role model in many ways. His attainment of his doctoral degree at USC helped strengthen his contributions to Morris College in academics and administration and undergirded his many subsequent contributions to the state of South Carolina.
Thus, we extend heartfelt condolences to the entire Solomon family. Peace and Blessings!
At this time, You are in our thoughts and prayers 12/06/2024 Virginia & Aiken Neal (cousins)
My deepest condolences to the Solomon family. Dr. James L. Solomon Jr.’s life truly embodied Morris College’s motto: “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.” He dedicated himself to justice and service to humanity as an educator, Civil Rights leader, higher education professional, and social services commissioner. As a fellow alum of Morris College, I am honored to follow in his footsteps and to know that we can reach even higher because of the path he blazed for many to follow.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”- Matthew 25:21
Take your rest. 🕊️
MoCo, C/O 2009
Solomon Family,
I extend my sincere condolences to you. Jim was a bright light in a somber period in the history of school desegregation in this city. He helped lead us through that period. I will always remember his wise counsel in those years and the years that followed as we tried to peacefully desegregate Richland county ‘s schools. He was a wise, kind and level headed gentleman. His smile could help resolve the most contentious discussions. He was always a good man to have at the table. He was also my friend.
It is with great sadness to learn that Dr. Jim Solomon has passed and my deepest condolences go to Helen and the Solomon family. I had the privilege of working for Dr. Solomon at DSS in the 80’s and learned from him that people in goverment passionately cared about the citizens of our state. Dr. Solomon was an outstanding Commissioner, leader, and was a person of great integrity. He inspired so many of us in South Carolina.
Dr. Solomon was a great South Carolinian who not only will be missed but forever remembered by a thankful state.
To the Solomon Family:
As I think of you and all who knew the impact of the many years of toiling of one, Jim Solomon, as a history-making phenomenom in this city & state, I pen these words of commendation with adoration for a life well lived.
Upon leaving Morris College and embarking on a continued career of service to his fellowman, Dr. Soloman contributed in multifaceted ways in education. civil rights, to the city & state government and as a trailblazer in so many other ways.
His many history,-making exploits are now appropriately documented in the anals of time.
His footprints have been big and broad in government under 3 Governors (West, Riley & Campbell). And he is now permanently embossed in bronze on the campus of USC with his 2 history-making comrades. Dr.H.M. Treadwell & Mr. R.. Anderson.
Dr. James L. Solomon, Jr. achieved a long & storied history over the many decades of his long life that will continue to mpact the lives of those of us who will follow & do even better because of his many positive accomplishments.
He stood when others sat, he marched when others stayed behind, and he spoke up when others remained silent.
His life as a “woke’ participant is now a road map for others to step up to and follow as the path continues to be carved out for generations to come, as he was one worth emulating.
So with my words of praise and blessings, I salute Dr. James L. Solomon. Jr. I commend him to the ancestors and know that he is with his maker as he abides eternally with a loving Savior.
May your many memories help to sustain you through this bereavement period.
May he rest in peace and power in the Joy of Jesus!
Our sincere prayers and condolences to the Solomon family! Jim served his state and community well.
To Helen and Family,
Our prayers are with you. Blessings and love always.
Love and prayers are extended to the Solomon family.May God bless each of you!!!
I worked for Mr. Solomon as his Admin. Asst. at the Dept.of Social Services. He was one of the best men that I have ever known because he was determined that all customers of DSS receive the service they deserve. He was a shining example of what a husband, father and employer should be. He was a great example to the over 3,000 employees at the agency, and he was the GOAT no doubt!
Our sincere condolences and prayers to Helen and the Solomon Family. Dr. Solomon (“Jim”) was such an inspiration to us. Rest now in God’s Heavenly Home
Blessings and prayers to the family in their time of bereavement. A true loss to everyone ever associated with this great man educator, mentor, trailblazer … Thanks for all you have done for me and fellow alumni of Morris College. “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve”. Well done 🙌🏾🙏🏾
My Condolences and Prayers for the Solomon Family and may God release his Peace upon each of you! Mr Solomon was the State DSS Director in the eighties when I joined the team and he was a great man and steward over DSS very well. 🙏🏾
Our sincere condolences to Mrs Solomon and family. We pray that the God of Comfort will embrace you all. May He make all the fond memories, through the years, alive to you.
My condolences to the Solomon family. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Condolences to the Solomon family.
My deepest sympathy to the family
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I express my deepest and sincere condolences to the Solomon family. I will always cherish the wonderful times and memories of Mr. Solomon. He was my mentor and a longtime advisor to me. I spent many days in his office seeking advice and planning my course of study from this fine gentleman. Mr. Solomon was an amazing man and spent many tireless years and efforts trying put his college on the map, and for that, I am forever indebted for his leadership. As I look back on those precious memories, I find peace in knowing that he gave his all to Morris College and the state of South Carolina in all of his endeavors. Rest in peace Mr. Solomon, your legacy is etched in stone throughout the state of South Carolina and in many of our lives.
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I express my deepest and sincere condolences to the Solomon family. As a former student and an alumnus of Morris College, I will always cherish the wonderful times and memories of Mr. Solomon. He was my mentor and a longtime advisor to me. I spent many days in his office seeking advice and planning my course of study from this fine gentleman. Mr. Solomon was an amazing man and spent many tireless years and efforts trying put his college on the map, and for that, I am forever indebted for his leadership. As I look back on those precious memories, I find peace in knowing that he gave his all to Morris College and the state of South Carolina in all of his endeavors. Rest in peace Mr. Solomon, your legacy is etched in stone throughout the state of South Carolina and in many of our lives.
To The Family of The Late Mr James Lewis Solomon: I regret to have been informed of his passing please accept my personal prayers thoughts and wishes that you feel peaceful and open to the encouragement of family friends and folks around you at this difficult time ⏲️ 🙏 .
May you continue to gather and reflect on all the things 🙏 he has talked with you shared with you 🙏 as any patriarch would do please remember that it’s keeping you all strong. Mr Solomon moved mountains ⛰️, opened doors, cleared past ways and stood defiantly throughout his life time for all of Society, a job well done. At Morris College he was phenomenal teacher,mathematician and guide for whatever it was to be. I visited Mr and Mrs Solomon back in 2018 of September and we had very good conversation after my 50 years seeing 👀 him and Mrs Solomon. I will say to family please 🙏 stay strong and know that another angel gone on to be with The Good Lord Up Yonder, we all will have to do the same, don’t say goodbye just say fair you well and so long, you will be feeling better with that okay. I love y’all. My Sincere condolences and sympathy
Thoughts and prayers are with the family from Pastor and Mrs. James Blassingame & The Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter,SC Family
Prayers of comfort and peace to the Solomon Family. For the short time my husband and I had the privilege of knowing the Solomon’s, we felt the kindness and gentleness exuded by these two lovely people. When you saw one, the other was right there! (Relationship goals)
We will continue to lift and petition God for comfort concerning this GREAT patriarch loss!
Peace be unto you!
Mr. & Mrs. Kervin Wilson
(St. John Baptist Church)
My sincere condolences to the Solomon family. I have know Mr. Solomon for many years and have known him as a man of great intergrity and with a lot of wisdom. I have known Mr. Solomon when he was a professor and Department chair of Natural Sciences at Morris College. I worked under his administration when he served as commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Social Services. I am eternal grateful for the differences he made in my life.
Condolences to the Solomon family
My sincere deepest condolences and prayers for the Solomon family at this difficult time. May God surround you with the love and comfort that you stand in the need of. As one of his caregivers, I am deeply saddened of the passing of Mr. Solomon. He was a big giant that was well respected and open the doors for many. At 94 years old, it’s a blessing to be able to tell your spouse ” I love you”, and mean it! Mrs. Solomon would do like wise. RIP, Mr. Solomon, you will truly be missed.
My sincere deepest condolences to the Solomon Family.
To the Solomon Family, I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Solomon for the past 57 years. Our families have been friends since Sumter, SC and became neighbors in 1972 in Columbia SC living side by side in Meadowlakes. My dad and Mr. Solomon were the fence talkers about so many things. The most memorable conversation is one between me and Mr. Solomon , I was 7 years old and he had just been introduce to me by my uncle/dad Jim Davis. Mr. Solomon asked me, “little girl what do you want to be when you grow up, a teacher or attractive? Well I said to him I want to be attractive! Needless to say that tickled him so, but look at me know and educator. Brilliant mind, soft spoken, always smiling, loved Helen, Leon, Bennie, Cynthia and Carl, loved his friends and held them dearly in his heart. He never met a stranger and never turned one away. Rest Mr. Solomon I am grateful to have you in my life. Condolences from Tara, Alton and Vivian Davis
When I was a boy growing up in Jehovah Baptist Church in Sumter. Mr. Solomon helped to organize a boy scout troop at the church. In the 1962 he taught us leadership and personal skills. I will forever remember the imp.act that he had on my life.
Sending our deepest sympathy and condolences and prayers to the family and relatives and friends.
My condolences to the Solomon family in the passing of Mr. James Solomon, Jr. He was a kind and caring gentleman. May our dear Lord wrap his loving arms around you all with His love and peace.😮💨💔
Dr Solomon was a noble and kind man. Enjoyed working with at Palmetto Development Group. May peace and understanding prevail.
My Condolences 🙏 to the Solomon family I have known mr.Soloman for years he will be miss
Dr. James L. Solomon, Jr. – what a wonderful journey you had; what a great inspiration you have been; and what great guidance you have provided. Your words of wisdom and the example of humanity you demonstrated will continue to inspire; and will live within me forever. I extend to you my many thanks! God speed as you travel.
To brother James Solomon’s family. you have my deepest condolence. I always enjoyed talking to brother Solomon as we were members of St John Baptist Church for years, many years together. We, the members of Saint John Baptist church, visit his beach home in Elloree, South Carolina. It was a wonderful occasion. leave pleasant memories of him as many know he was a very intelligent man, very pleasantly and a very friendly man. He showed a lot of love for his fellow man. He was the leader of our senior ministry for a while and did a great job. He truly will be missed. I hope and believe that someday we will all see him in Glory. yours
In the name of Jesus .
Smilie Christie, Jr.
I would like to give my sincere condolences to the Solomon family. Your family was highly blessed to have had such a matriarch. I will never forget the positive and encouraging advice that Dr. Solomon gave to me. I will forever more treasure that advice and I will always have nothing but the highest respect for Dr. Solomon. Rest in peace Dr. Solomon. Job well done!
My sincere condolences to my family, friend and trailblazer. To know Dr. Solomon was to love him. His soft spoken demeanor will always be remembered! Thank you for setting a positive example for all of us.
Rest well with the Ancestors my friend and cousin!!
Helen, sincere condolences are extended to you and your family during this time of bereavement. Lifting you in prayer 🙏
Doris J Andrews, President
Altruist Federated Women’s Club
I am deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Solomon’s passing. I had the distinct honor of working for him at the DSS and will always remember his quiet yet strong and determined demeanor. Thank you Jim Solomon for educating me. I will never forget your lessons.
The Executive Board and members of the Richland County Education Association-Retired extend our deepest sympathy to our member, Helen and the entire family as you mourn the loss of your loved one. His life of service to the community will long be remembered. Our prayers are with you.
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the Solomon Family. Dr Solomon was a pillar in the community. He was a very soft-spoken gentle giant who accepted people for who they were and was always willing to listen and help when he could. He opened the door for many of us and will be sorely missed. May GOD provide you with the necessary strength needed to get through your time of grieving! GOD bless you all!!!
May the peace of God, like a gentle dove, comfort the James L. Solomon family during this time of sorrow.
In loving memory of our parents, Dr. Benjamin and Mrs. Lydia Glover, we honor his enduring legacy