Meet The Board Members

Dr. Charmaine W. Stradford

Charmaine serves as Chairperson of the Lancaster County Community Center.  As chairperson, she has written grants to improve and preserve the 61-year-old building which serves the Lancaster Community.

Charmaine began her career as an English teacher at Andrew Jackson High School and counselor.  She then served as Assistant Principal at Andrew Jackson Middle School before serving as Guidance Director at Lewisville High School.   She retired from Lancaster Career Center.  Before joining the LCCC Board in 2015, she was Director of an afterschool program at Caroline Court in Lancaster for ten years.

She held leadership positions on many Boards and Committees.  She also has been recognized for her leadership positions.

Originally from Lancaster, South Carolina.  Charmaine holds degrees from SC State University, Winthrop University, and Nova University.  She and her husband, John, have lived in Lancaster all their lives.  They have three children, John Jr., LaShawn, and Ryan.  

She retired from the Lancaster County School District as its District Career Counselor.

Terrance Barr 

Terrance is the Vice Chair of the Lancaster County Community Center.  He is the Director for Stormwater Management, Lancaster County, Lancaster, South Carolina. The Kingstree native is a graduate of Francis Marion University.

Terrance retired from the United States Army as a Chemical Officer. Terrance earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Webster University. Terrance had the opportunity to serve as Treasurer for the Fort Leonard Wood ROCKS, an organization designed to mentor young officers.

Terrance is married to the former Keisa McIlwain.  They have three children, Brandon (deceased), Matthew and JB. Terrance is an active member of Lincoln Lodge #162, Lancaster Lunch Day Rotary and an Executive Board member of the Arras Foundation. Terrance was nominated as North Elementary 2019 Parent of the Year, served 4 years as A.R. Rucker’s PTO President and current Chairperson for Lancaster High School’s School Improvement Council.

Tessira Wade 

Tessira has a decade of experience in property management, specialize in creating seamless and efficient living environments for residents while maximizing property value for owners. Her expertise spans all aspects of property management, including tenant relations, leasing, maintenance coordination, and budget management.

Tessira is a proud graduate of Lancaster High School in Lancaster, SC. She furthered her education at Claflin University, the first Historically Black College/University in South Carolina, located in Orangeburg. Her educational journey has instilled in her a deep commitment to community and excellence.

As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an active participant in Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church, she serves the District and Conference and enjoys giving back through various initiatives. Tessira looks forward to enhancing her community impact through my service with the Lancaster County Community Center, where she aims to promote empowerment and support for those in need.

Valerie Davis Belk 

Valerie is a graduate of Barr Street High School class of 1967.   She attended South Carolina State College, USC-Lancaster and York Technical College. Valerie is a Springs Global Customer Service retiree, member of LCDWC and St Paul AME Church –Lancaster, S.C.  She has two daughters, Richellon Belk and Udanda Clark.

Bennie McMurray 

Bennie serves as the Treasurer for the Lancaster County Community Center.  He is a 1967 graduate of Barr Street High School.  He furthered his education graduating from SC State College in 1971 with a bachelor degree. He also earned a Master of Education in 1979 and a Masters Plus 30 in 1995 from the University of South Carolina. 

He is a retired educator that taught and coached in both North and South Carolina earning numerous accolades along the way.  These included being inducted into the Lewisville High School Hall of Fame, SC Football Coaches Hall of Fame, SC Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, SC Coaches Hall of Fame and SC State’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

He is an active member of Mt. Tabor Lodge #203 (treasurer), Mt. Tabor AME Church (treasurer) and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  He is also the treasurer of the Clinton Elementary PTO.

He is married to the former Monique Scott and has five children, Jeremy, Leslie, Charles, Damonique and Alexus.

Anita M. Watts 

Anita serves and Secretary for the Lancaster County Community Center. She is a 1990 Lancaster High School graduate. She graduated from Winthrop University in 1994 with a bachelor degree in Elementary Education and in 1999 and 2009 from the University of South Carolina with Master degrees in Early Childhood and Educational Administration. 

Anita is a retired educator that served in different capacities with LCSD for over 28 years.  She started her career at Brooklyn Springs Elementary before moving to Barr Street Middle School as a teacher.  In 2003, A. R. Rucker Middle opened to welcome the former Barr Street staff and students.  Here Anita served as a teacher, Assistant Principal and eventually Principal. In 2019, she transitioned back to the Barr Street campus as Principal of Barr Street Learning Center, the Alternative Program for Middle and High school Students.

She is married to Rodney Watts and has two sons, Trevin and Jaren.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Mary B. Henderson 

Mary is a graduate of Winthrop College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Science and also a Master of Education in Counseling.  She also received her Level 1 Supervision from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and a PHD from the University of North Carolina. 

Earning these degrees afforded her the opportunity to work with the Monroe City Schools, Lincoln County Schools and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as an Educational Consultant.  Mary also worked for the J. Marion Sims Foundation.

Mary is the proud mother of three children, Jerry E. Henderson II, Dr. Jarrett Henderson and Alieshia Henderson Degraffenreid.  She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.