Former SC NAACP President has passed away.
Source: Win McNamee / Getty
A former president of the South Carolina NAACP and dedicated community leader has passed away.
On Saturday, L. Oveta Glover, the current president of the Columbia NAACP, announced the death of Dr. Lonnie Randolph Jr. Randolph led the Columbia branch of the NAACP and served as the state leader for over 14 years. A prominent civil rights advocate, he played a crucial role in the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina State House.
A native of Columbia and a graduate of Dreher High School, Randolph’s career was marked by decades of community service. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Benedict College and later received his Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry. His contributions to the field of optometry were recognized when he was named Optometrist of the Year by the South Carolina Optometric Association, where he also served as president. Additionally, he chaired the South Carolina Consumer Affairs Commission.
In 2011, Dr. Randolph was honored with the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian award, for his significant contributions.
According to WBTV, Dr. Randolph ran a private optometric practice in Columbia for over 40 years, during which he established a free eye clinic at Palmetto Health to serve K-12 students. He also served on the board of the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and was involved with the Diabetes Task Force of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind.
The Randolph family has requested privacy as they process their loss.
