Tamerat Worku

1954 - 2023

Tamerat Worku
December 17, 1954 - March 15, 2023
Elgin, South Carolina - The following are remarks Tamerat "T" wrote years ago that confirmed his desire to love, empower and impact the lives of everyone he touched.
Tamerat "T" Worku passed away peacefully at his residence on March 15, 2023. "T", as he was affectionately called, originally from Ethiopia, was raised in an extended family in the capital city of Addis Ababa. He attended and completed his elementary and secondary education at St. Joseph Catholic School, graduating in 1971. He started his higher education at the National University, but decided to take a break to help out with a family business. In 1973, he came to America to resume his studies at Gannon University in Erie, PA where he majored in Mass Media and Communications and minored in Political Science, graduating in 1978. He furthered his studies at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, completing his Master's degree in Government and International Relations in 1981. A firm believer in self-reliance, T worked two part-time jobs throughout his college years. During this time, he met his future wife, Brenda Moffett of Columbia, his best friend and partner, to whom he was married for forty-two (42) years.
T had thirty-three (33) years of state government service, thirty (30) of which were with South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ). He retired in 2013 finishing his career as Staff Development and Training Administrator – a position he held from 1981 to 1993 and an Adjunct Professor at Webster University from 2008 to present. As a life-long student, he actively pursued personal and professional development, completing several state and national professional programs and certifications including: Curriculum Design '85, Academy in State Management '88, Basic Training Instructor '89, Cultural Diversity Facilitator '92, Team Leader Certification '94, Governor's Leadership Institute-EXCEL '98 and the CPM-Certified Public Manager '06. He also pursued and completed a second Masters in Management from Webster University in 1998. He was recognized as Employee of the Year for 1998-99.
T believed in the maxim "Success unshared is failure" and in that spirit led his team by example, living the principles of spirituality, loyalty, integrity and forthrightness. He also practiced the "platinum rule" – treating others better than they expected to be treated. One testament of his leadership was that six (6) of his team members worked with and for him from 14 to 28 years. As one who believed in the motto "Each one teach one", he was a tutor for the Midlands Literacy Council, a volunteer instructor for the American Red Cross and provided career coaching to the next generation. He served as a Trustee of his church for many years. He was an active member of his high school association-St. Joseph School, Class of 1971-which has a scholarship program for deserving underprivileged students in Ethiopia since 2003. T was a student of history and current events; enjoyed reading, constructive conversation, smooth jazz, moderate exercise, table-tennis, and travel to quiet and relaxing places. His favorite maxims were – "There is enough in this world for everyone's need, but not everyone's greed." – Gandhi and "The time is always right to do what is right." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
T is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, Brenda Moffett Worku of Columbia, South Carolina; uncles, Asfaw (Kumari) Hunde of Stockholm, Sweden, Aschalew (Nouria) Hunde of Washington, DC; cousins, Dr. Daniel and Sara Hunde of Stockholm, Sweden; Sena, Nahil and Sifan Hunde of Washington, DC and several other cousins around the global village, as he referred to it.