Columbia, S.C.- South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly issued the following statement sending condolences to the family of former Cherokee County GOP Chairman Joan Wheeler.

“On behalf of the South Carolina Republican Party, I wish to offer our sincerest condolences and prayers for the family of Joan Wheeler. Joan was among the founders of the modern Republican Party in South Carolina, helping to change Cherokee County from solid Democrat to one of most Republican areas of our state.

Despite all of her achievements, including the Order of the Palmetto, Joan will most importantly be remembered for the hundreds of lives she touched as an educator and through her establishment of the Bob Parris Memorial Scholarship.

Today, Joan’s spirit of service over self lives on in all of us who were so blessed to call her friend. She will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with George and the rest of the Wheeler family during this difficult time.”