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Myrtle Beach community activist and musician honored

Myrtle Beach has lost one of its leading citizens and musicians.  Herbert Riley was a key member of the local musical community, but was active in many other ways.  Riley was involved in his neighborhood; he helped create events; he was an advocate of historical preservation, especially for Charlie’s Place; and he provided quiet leadership at all levels.  Mr. Riley’s voice, music and presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  Myrtle Beach City Council honors Riley with a proclamation:

IN MEMORY OF HERBERT RILEY

WHEREAS, The Myrtle Beach community is mourning the sudden loss of one of our leading citizens, Mr. Herbert Riley, who left us far too soon on Wednesday, July 10, 2019; and

 WHEREAS, Herbert Riley was well known to us as a musician, historian, volunteer, community leader, civil servant, storyteller, visionary and friend; and

 WHEREAS, His civic roles included serving as chair of the Horry County Planning Commission, as founder of the Carver Street Renaissance Corporation, as a neighborhood representative for the Booker T. Washington community and as a role model and leader for our city; and 

 WHEREAS, Herbert Riley was instrumental in preserving the history of the area, especially Charlie’s Place, where national music legends of the 1940s and 1950s performed in the days before integration; and

WHEREAS, Riley understood the connection between the history of that musical era and the people and places where it was enjoyed, and was a leader not only in preserving that irreplaceable foundation, but also in performing music for today’s residents and visitors; and 

 WHEREAS, Let it be said that Herbert Riley was a uniter, not a divider, whose musical approach to life helped each of us understand that a community that works together emits a joyful noise;

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City of Myrtle Beach hereby expresses deepest condolences to the family and friends of Herbert Riley on his sudden passing and remembers him as an honorable man who willingly shared his music, wisdom and grace with us. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Signed and sealed this 13th day of July 2019.