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TO CONGRATULATE PAUL SMITH O'DELL OF LAURENS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY, TO THANK HIM FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
Whereas, on August 14, 2022, Paul Smith O'Dell of Laurens will awaken to the celebration of a milestone event: his one hundredth birthday; and
Whereas, born in Laurens County, the young Paul came into this world on August 14, 1922, and graduated from Hickory Tavern High School and Draughon's Business School in Greenville; and
Whereas, after graduation, this patriotic American enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 20-year-old volunteer, joining the 982nd Ordnance Depot Company in 1942. Ten months before D-Day in 1943, he deployed for Europe, bound for Northampton, England. His unit organized and managed distribution of small arms and ammunition supplies for active military engagements and coordinated the expected supply load for the upcoming D-Day invasion. After the liberation of France, Paul left England and was assigned a new post outside Paris distributing supplies to the soldiers. He rose to the rank of technical sergeant, fourth grade, and was honorably discharged on Christmas Eve 1945; and
Whereas, Paul returned home and purchased additional land beside his family farm on the Reedy River. His pride and joy was his cattle herd, one of the leading such herds in Laurens County. A charter member of the Laurens County Cattleman Association, he was twice named Cattleman of the Year and received the Lifetime Agricultural Leadership Outstanding Conservation Partner award for exceptional assistance to the Laurens County Conservation District; and
Whereas, in 1956, Paul O'Dell was elected as one of the first two commissioners of Laurens County. In 1971, Laurens County having moved to the county council form of government, he was elected to the council and was continuously re-elected until his retirement in 1985. In recognition of his long and committed service, he received the Henry Laurens Award. Following his retirement from the council, he served for nineteen years on the Registration and Election Board and voted in every election; and
Whereas, Mr. O'Dell continues to be an active member of the Hickory Tavern Lions Club, from which he has received the Lion of the Year award, and he has been a Mason of the Palmetto Lodge for many years. As a man of faith, he is a lifetime member of Union Baptist Church, where he has served in many leadership positions and is a deacon emeritus; and
Whereas, in 2020, Mr. O'Dell was featured in the debut of an agricultural video series called Time Changes: The Life of a Farmer, created by Nashville recording artist Stephanie Nash. In 2022, he continues to oversee the farm, now run by his sons, and he also serves his community and church to this day; and
Whereas, Paul Smith O'Dell finds strength for his labors in the firm support of his family. Paul and his wife of sixty-five years, the late Emily Craig O'Dell, enjoyed the blessing of a fine family, and Mr. O'Dell is the proud father of daughter Paula Gray (Cecil) and sons Craig O'Dell (Jan) and Jerry O'Dell, as well as the delighted grandfather of several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives takes much pleasure in honoring this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his one hundredth birthday and 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 Paul Smith O'Dell of Laurens on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday, thank him for a lifetime of service, and wish him much happiness in the days ahead.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Paul Smith O'Dell.
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