The Supreme Court of South Carolina held a special term of court on April 22, 2025, to unveil the official portrait of retired Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty, honoring his distinguished service and lasting contributions to the judiciary and the citizens of South Carolina.
Retired Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty and Chief Justice John W. Kittredge are joined by Governor Henry D. McMaster during the portrait unveiling ceremony. Photo by Travis Bell.
Beatty, age 72, served on the Circuit Court bench from 1995 to 2003, the Court of Appeals from 2003 to 2007 and the Supreme Court from 2007 to 2024, with the last seven years of his service as Chief Justice. The ceremony, held in the Supreme Court courtroom, brought together current and former justices and judges, leaders of the executive and legislative branches of government, members of the bar, and members of the community to celebrate the legacy of Chief Justice Beatty.
“Chief Justice Beatty led this Court with wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to justice,” said current Chief Justice John W. Kittredge. “On behalf of the Court, I am pleased to accept this portrait, which will be included in the Court’s permanent collection and displayed in a place of prominence. We appreciate the Historical Society’s role in continuing the time-honored tradition of judicial portraiture, which serves not only as a visual connection between the citizens of South Carolina and the judiciary but also as a tangible representation of the judicial system’s history and values.”
The portrait, painted by James Crowley, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, will join a gallery of judicial portraits displayed throughout the Supreme Court building. The Court's collection, which includes works dating as far back as the 1790s, symbolizes a visual history of the high Court’s leadership and enduring legacy, reflecting the evolution of justice and those who have shaped it.
During the ceremony, Chief Justice Beatty reflected on his years of service with heartfelt appreciation. He extended special thanks to his wife and long-serving staff members, acknowledging their unwavering support and the vital role they played in keeping him grounded in his guiding principle: fidelity to the law and fairness in its application. He also expressed gratitude and humility at the unveiling of his portrait in the esteemed halls of the Supreme Court — a place of deep personal and professional meaning. It was within this very building that he first took the oath of admission to the Bar in 1979, beginning a journey that would ultimately lead to the state's highest court.
Governor McMaster presents retired Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty with the Order of the Palmetto. Photo by Travis Bell.
Governor Henry McMaster also presented Chief Justice Beatty with the Order of the Palmetto, which is the State's highest civilian honor. It is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service, and contributions to the state of South Carolina.
The ceremony was followed by a reception hosted by the South Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society, an organization focused on discovering, preserving, and disseminating the history of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. The Society endeavors to educate the public on the historical role of the state judiciary and legal profession in developing and protecting the rule of law and judicial independence in South Carolina.