The hour glass, with its sands of time, has slowly but surely spilled its contents, and with the passing of the last sand, went the life of our friend and loved one, Dr. Lela Haynes Session who departed this life on July 5, 2013 at her residence. She was born July 21, 1921 in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Mr. David and Mrs. Mary Ida Boney Haynes. Dr. Session received her education in the public schools of Berkeley County and Avery Institute in Charleston, SC. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Allen University, Columbia, SC and a Master of Science degree from South Carolina State College (University), Orangeburg, SC. She did further studies at North Carolina University, Duke University, Tuskegee Institute, University of South Carolina and Union Baptist Seminary. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1967. She began her career as a teacher. Her early teaching experience included Booker T. Washington High School, Alston High School, Berkeley Training High School and Carver High School. She later served in administrative capacities. During her tenure with the Berkeley County School District, Dr. Session served as Supervisor of Elementary Education, Supervisor of Adult Education, Director of Retirement and Director of Teachers' Welfare, Personnel Division. Dr. Session's Christian pilgrimage began at an early age. She was a member of Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church which is presently Moncks Corner African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was very active and involved in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church on all levels - Local, District, Conference, Episcopal and Connectional. She was well known across the Connectional level. At Moncks Corner AME Church, she served in many capacities such as: Trustee, Stewardess, Class Leader, Women's Missionary Society (WMS), Daughters of Sarah Allen, and the Lay Organization. The WMS honored Dr. Session by including her name in their unit - the Session-Gillians Women's Missionary Society. On the other levels of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Session was a consultant to the Lay Organization of the Seventh Episcopal District, Director of Public Relations for the Connectional Lay Organization, Director of the Young People's Division, and Life Member of the Women's Missionary Society. Dr. Session has a long impressive history of involvement in civic and community activities. Endowed with a commitment to helping others and a keen sense of the need to improve the quality of community life, Dr. Session's work is epitomized in the motto, "Build Your Community, Build the World." She devoted her time, energy and talents to a variety of civic and professional activities. Some of which included: State Delegate to the National Democratic Convention; Vice President of the Moncks Corner Precinct Democratic Party; Secretary/Treasurer of the Berkeley County Democratic Party; Member of the Town of Moncks Corner Zoning Commission; President of the Berkeley County Habitat for Humanity; member of the advisory board for Trident United Way; Charter member of Berkeley County Federal Credit Union; American Legion Auxiliary Post No. 247; Berkeley County NAACP; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; National Education Association; South Carolina Retired Education Association; the National Council of Negro Women; New Eden Chapter No. 204, Order of the Eastern Star; and Alpha Pi Chi Sorority, Alpha Tau Chapter. She received the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto Award for her lifetime dedication of service to the people of Berkeley County and the State of South Carolina. This is the highest honor given to a civilian in South Carolina. Dr. Session, along with the assistance of Cynthia Hughes, wrote and published a book, Unconditional Love, which chronicles her life. She said her spiritual epitaph would read: "Unconditional love is not borne into a man, it is learned by trust and obedience." Dr. Session was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Gordon Session who preceded her in death. She had a great love for children and was a godmother to many. She also reared three cousins as her own: Sally S. Brown, Marva Brown and Barbara Ann Kyser (deceased). Dr. Session was a pillar of Berkeley County and positively touched many lives. A kind word, a helping hand, and a mind that led toward any who needed help - this was the life she lived. She will be greatly missed. Those left to cherish her memory are: special cousins, Sally S. Brown, Marva Brown and Raymond Kyser, Jr.; numerous godchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins; caregivers, Asia Gillians, Henrietta Marion, Cynthia Hartwell, Catherine Ellis, Lisa Sambo, Sherry Singletary, Joey Ceroni, Reverend Lillie Mae Reid and Herbert Lee Reid; and a host of friends.