H*5171 Session 125 (2023-2024) H 5171 Resolution, By Anderson, Hewitt, Alexander, Atkinson
A house RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE FRED ALLEN SMALLS, A NATIVE OF PLANTERSVILLE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECENT ONE HUNDRED SIXTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, on February 5, 2024, Plantersville native Fred Allen Smalls awakened to the celebration of a milestone event: his one hundred sixth birthday; and
Whereas, born in
Georgetown County as one of seven children, Fred Allen Smalls came into this
world on February 5, 1918, the son of Joseph Smalls and Ellanora Smalls of
Plantersville. He was raised by his grandmother Daffney Greggs and his aunt
Ella Walker, to whom he
Whereas, he
Whereas, he then moved
to Mullins to seek employment in the tobacco industry and to join his mother,
father, and siblings. There he joined and
Whereas, Fred Allen Smalls was married to the late Ira Lee Ladson from Georgetown, and he is the father of Henrietta Faison, Ruth Campbell, Jeremiah Kenney, Freddie Smalls, and David Smalls, the latter three being now deceased. He has been blessed with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews; and
Whereas, for
employment, Fred Allen Smalls worked as a janitor at an apartment building for
several years in Washington, D.C. He then served at several jobs before finding
his lifelong occupation with the District of Columbia. He retired in the 1960s
when John F. Kennedy was president of the United States. Since that time, he
has enjoyed his family and a quiet retirement. He relishes watching football,
boxing, and westerns and delights in good food. A comedian in his own right,
Fred Allen Smalls appreciates a "light"
Whereas, most recently, he was featured in an NBC News article entitled "Black people are beating the odds by turning 100 -- and they're celebrating on TikTok" (October 2023). ABC News featured him as the oldest Philadelphia Eagles fan and had an early celebration of his 106th birthday with preseason passes and the opportunity to meet and greet star players in September 2023. He was awarded an honorary high school diploma from Joel Elias Spingarn High School in the District of Columbia in November 2023. As of February 2024, he has received two additional honorary high school diplomas, one from Georgetown County High School and the other from Marion County School District, both in South Carolina; and
Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his one hundred sixth birthday, and the South Carolina House joins with his family and friends in congratulating him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Fred Allen Smalls, a native of Plantersville, on the occasion of his recent one hundred sixth birthday and wish him much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Fred Allen Smalls. ----XX---- This web page was last updated on February 28, 2024 at 4:44 PM |