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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF EMMA GERTRUDE MCALISTER SMALLS OF FLORENCE COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of Emma Gertrude McAlister Smalls of Florence County on October 6, 2016, at the venerable age of ninety-two; and
Whereas, the third of thirteen children born to the late General and Sarah Timmons McAlister, Gertrude entered this world on September 1, 1924, in the Friendfield community of Florence County. She attended school in Florence and in 1942 graduated from Wilson High School, where she was recognized as one of her alma mater's star basketball players; and
Whereas, upon graduation from Wilson, she attended Elite Beauty College in Orangeburg and became a licensed beautician. Not long after, she met and married Herbert Westley Smalls, and in time the two became the proud parents of six children. They had a long and happy marriage until his death in 1985; and
Whereas, "Gert," or "Gertie," as she was affectionately known, remained a homemaker until late in life. Once her children were in school, she entered the workforce. Her first position took her to Wentworth Manufacturing. Later, she worked at Electro-Motive Manufacturing and retired in 1990 as manager of Young's Food; and
Whereas, Gertrude was a lifelong member of Mt. Rona Baptist Church in Effingham, where she served tirelessly as one of its first female trustees until her health began to fail. She was very proud and passionate about her church and was known for her competitive spirit in fundraising. She excelled with baby contests, birthday rallies, and other such events, garnering many awards; and
Whereas, in addition, she served as chairman of NAACP membership at Mt. Rona and was later recognized by the Florence chapter of the NAACP for her outstanding recruitment efforts. This life member of the Eastern Star was also inducted into the Wilson Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2012; and
Whereas, Gertrude long will be remembered for her caring, compassionate, giving spirit, which she demonstrated not only to family members but also to her community; and
Whereas, preceded in death by her husband and her son Herbert, Jr., Gertrude leaves to cherish her memory her five remaining children, Mildred (the late Calvin) Thomas, Milton (Brenda R.) Smalls, Marva Smalls, Myra (Joe) Brayboy, and Marlon (Tina) Smalls; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends. She will be missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Emma Gertrude McAlister Smalls of Florence County and extend the deepest sympathy to her family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Emma Gertrude McAlister Smalls.
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