COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kay Patterson, the former South Carolina senator, passed away on Friday at the age of 93. His remarkable journey took him from being a cleaner in the segregated Statehouse to becoming a prominent legislator for over three decades. The South Carolina Democratic Party acknowledged his passing, stating that Patterson “left an indelible mark on our state” and was known for his “wit and wisdom.” The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born in 1931 in Darlington County and raised by his grandmothers, Patterson’s early tenacity was well-noted. His grandmothers advised him against jobs like golf caddy or shoe shiner, speculating he might stand up to white patrons, risking trouble in the segregated South of the 1940s. Instead, he chose to serve in the military before pursuing a teaching degree at Allen University through the GI Bill. While in college, Patterson worked as a janitor in the segregated state capitol, where Black individuals could only enter as employees.

Reflecting on his past, Patterson recounted a transformative moment in a 2004 interview with the University of South Carolina, sharing how he transitioned from a janitorial role to becoming a member of the House, and later the Senate in 1984. “Now that’s a hell of a long way to come,” he remarked about his improbable journey.

Patterson dedicated 30 years to education and was first elected to the South Carolina House in 1974, later moving to the Senate in 1984 after being encouraged by U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn. Clyburn remembered Patterson as “a trusted leader and a tireless champion for civil rights,” highlighting his strength and determination. Patterson was notably a significant figure in advocating for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse dome and had the distinction of being the first Black member on the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees since Reconstruction.

As a key legislative figure, Patterson served on the budget committees in both the House and Senate. He was a passionate advocate for civil rights, public education, and aid for impoverished citizens. His relentless pursuit to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse and legislative chambers came long before it was officially taken down in 2000.

In his later political years, Patterson found it increasingly challenging after the Republican Party gained control over state governance. Feeling that his seniority was overlooked, he expressed disappointment with many new Republican officials, whom he believed were insincere in their claims of helping the community while supporting their own interests.

In an interview prior to his Statehouse retirement, Patterson emphasized the importance of respecting elders and supervisors while also encouraging individuals to voice their concerns. “That’s just my hallmark ever since I was a little child. It will get you in trouble now, but you can sleep well at night,” he stated. Patterson, who was 73 at the time of the interview, remarked on his sense of peace, attributing it to living with integrity and treating everyone with respect, saying, “Right now, I’m 73 years old and sleep like a log when I go to bed because I know I’ve done no wrong to my fellow man.”