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PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Besançon, born to the late Paul and Lean Besançon on May 14, 1926 in Stryker, Ohio, and, Mrs. Gladys Ison Besançon, born to the late Ester King Ison and Samuel B. Ison on March 2, 1929 in Elliot County, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Besançon attended and graduated from Stryker High School in Stryker, Ohio, and, Mrs. Gladys Ison Besançon, attended and graduated with honors from West High School in Columbus, Ohio, where from age nine she was reared by her Aunt Ruth upon her mother's death; and

WHEREAS, The direction of Dr. Robert Besançon and Mrs. Gladys Ison Besançon was greatly influenced and changed by each of them personally accepting Jesus Christ and dedicating their future to His will and calling; and

WHEREAS, In 1944, Dr. Robert Besançon enlisted in pilot training for the US Navy, and was honorably discharged at the end of World War II, and still feeling called to the work of his Lord, enrolled at Bob Jones University where he met and married Gladys Lee Ison, after they both had graduated from said institution; and

WHEREAS, At this same university Dr. Robert Besançon taught History of Philosophy and New Testament Greek, and Mrs. Gladys I. Besançon taught Freshman Speech for twenty years and while there, Dr. Robert Besançon earned his M.A. and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, while Mrs. Gladys I. Besançon earned her M.A. degree in Interpretative Speech; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert Besançon, while still teaching at Bob Jones University, felt his Lord's calling to preach, became the pastor of two churches in Georgia, to which he would drive 200 miles each way faithfully, to preach the gospel each weekend for 18 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, being called to the full-time pastorate of the Ferndale Baptist Church, in North Charleston, South Carolina, moved there with Mrs. Gladys I. Besançon, and their two children, Charles and Camille; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Mrs. Gladys I. Besançon taught at Berry Elementary School for one year, resigning to become the first principal of the newly created Ferndale Baptist Church School, in North Charleston, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Even in retirement, both Dr. Robert Besançon and Mrs. Gladys I Besançon will remain wholly dedicated to their country and their community of North Charleston, South Carolina,

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved, that September 12, 2002 be proclaimed Robert and Gladys I. Besançon Day on behalf of the Mayor, City Council and the citizens of North Charleston in honor of their lives of dedication and community service.

ROBERT and GLADYS I. BESANÇON DAY

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of North Charleston, South Carolina, to be affixed.

R. Keith Summey, Mayor
City of North Charleston