South Carolina Legislature


    Senator Jefferson Verne Smith

Senator Jefferson Verne Smith photo

Home County: GREENVILLE

Senate District 5 - Greenville

Personal Information

  • Residing at 113 Peachtree Dr., Greer
  • Born Jan. 15, 1925 in Greer
  • Son of Jefferson Verne and Lillian (Farley) Smith
  • Graduated from Greer High School
  • Attended Presbyterian Coll., 1942-43
  • Nov. 27, 1947 Married to Jean Myers of Simpsonville, 2 children, Jefferson Verne, Jr. and Carole Jean Smith Olmert
  • Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Greer
  • Bd. of Dirs. and Corporate VP, Hercules Tire and Rubber Co.
  • Bd. of Comrs., S.C. School for the Deaf & Blind, 1964-69
  • Bd. of Dirs.: S.C. Tire Dealers Assn., 1964-65
  • S.C. Peach Festival Assn.
  • Peace Center for Performing Arts, 1989
  • MUSC, 1985-88, Emeritus, 1990-
  • Jaycee Outstanding Young Man of the Year, 1957
  • Legislator of the Year awards presented by: Greenville-News Piedmont, 1983
  • S.C. Wildlife Fed., 1983
  • S.C. Chap. Natl. Hemophilia Foundation, 1983
  • MADD, 1984
  • S.C. Soc. of Ophthalmology, 1985
  • S.C. Pharmacists Assn., 1986
  • S.C. Autism Soc., 1987-88
  • S.C. Assn. of Residential Care Facilities, 1987
  • S.C. Funeral Dirs. Assn., 1987
  • S.C. Chamber of Commerce, 1988
  • S.C. Chap. Amer. Soc. of Landscape Architects, 1989
  • S.C. Hosp. Assn., 1991
  • S.C. School Bds. Assn., 1992
  • Amer. Legion, 1994
  • S.C. Assn. of Children's Homes, 1994
  • S.C. Assn. of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging, 1997
  • S.C. Assn. of Realtors, 1997
  • S.C. Public Health Assn., 1998
  • S.C. Assn. of Housing Authority Dirs., 1999
  • Distinguished Serv. Award, Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1974
  • Outstanding Leadership Award, North Greenville Coll., 1985
  • Presbyterian Coll. Distinguished Alumni Gold P Award, 1986
  • President's Award, S.C. Med. Assn., 1988
  • Watershed Conservationist of the Year, 1988
  • Hon. Doctorate of Humane Letters, MUSC, 1990
  • Hon. Doctorate of Public Serv., Presbyterian Coll., 2001
  • Hon. Doctorate of Public Serv. by Univ. of S.C., Spartanburg, May 11, 2002
  • Serv. Award from Travelers Rest City Council, 1992
  • Meritorious Medal, S.C. Mil. Dept., 1992
  • Chm.'s Award, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 1996
  • Public Serv. Award, S.C. Friends of the Library, 1997
  • Guardian of Small Bus. Award, 1999
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, 1999
  • Citizen of the Year, Greer Lion's Club, 2000
  • Serv. Award, S.C. Council of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Authorities, 2000
  • Legis. Advocacy Award by GHS, Sept. 2001
  • Legislator of the Year, NASW, Mar. 2002
  • Hammer & Trowel Award, Home Builders Assn., Mar. 2002
  • The 2003 Strom Thurmond Leadership Award by Greenville Co. Rep. Party
  • 2004, the S.C. State Sen. authorized the hanging of a portrait of Senator Smith in the Sen. Chamber
  • Bldgs. and awards named in honor: J. Verne Smith Recreational Park on Lake Robinson
  • J. Verne Smith Library/Tech. Resources Center, Greenville Tech. Coll.
  • J. Verne Smith Human Resource Center, Greer
  • J. Verne Smith Gallery, S.C. Dept. of Archives & History, Cola.
  • J. Verne Smith Parkway, Greenville/Spartanburg Cos.
  • J. Verne Smith Residence Hall, Gov.'s School for Arts & Humanities, Greenville
  • The J. Verne Smith Greenville Area Mental Health Center Auditorium
  • J. Verne Smith Award by S.C. Assn. of Residential Care Homes
  • J. Verne Smith Humanitarian Award by Greenville Co. Developmental Disabilities Foundation
  • Eagle Scout
  • Order of the Arrow
  • Order of the Palmetto
  • Kappa Alpha Order
  • 32nd Degree Mason
  • Shriner, Hejaz Temple
  • Mil. serv.: USA, 1943-46
  • Prev. serv. in Sen. 1972-05.

   

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