COLUMBIA, S.C. — A longtime leader in the South Carolina NAACP at the local and state level has died.
Dr. Lonnie Randolph Jr. was the president of the Columbia branch of the NAACP for 20 years and was tapped to lead the state conference in 2003, a position he held for 14 years.
Current Columbia NAACP President L. Oveta Glover shared a statement on Saturday evening announcing his death earlier in the afternoon.
"His dedication to justice, equality, and service to our community has left a lasting mark for all of us to remember," Glover said. Dr. Randolph's work and passion for civil rights will continue to inspire us in the days ahead."
The South Carolina African American History Calendar and the South Carolina Department of Education honored Randolph in 2024 for his lifelong community involvement.
His biography on the calendar page said Randolph was "instrumental" in the Campaign for Dignity in South Carolina, which focused on removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina State House grounds. The bio also said he played a key role in organizing the King Day at the Dome march in Columbia.
In an interview for the honor, his wife, Patricia Randolph, said he was a "staunch advocate for trying to keep equality and justice right for everyone."
Dr. Randolph also operated a private optometric practice in Columbia for 40 years and, in addition to his regular patients, also provided services in the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and the South Carolina Department of Corrections. He founded a free eye clinic at Palmetto Health that cared for school-age children. He also served as the chairman of the South Carolina Consumer Affairs Commission for many years and earned the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor.
Glover offered condolences to the Randolph family and said the branch would release details on services and other information as they learn of them.
