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 attributes his success in life and longevity; and

 

Whereas, he attended a Plantersville school in a building in the woods without a name and was able to complete grades 1-5 under the instruction of Mr. Jim Skinner, who taught all students in the same classroom. At the early age of 15, he accepted Christ as his Savior at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Plantersville; and

 

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 attended the House of Prayer Holiness Church. He also was able to attend Mullins High School and complete the eighth grade before moving to Washington, D.C., where he transferred his church membership to the House of Prayer Holiness Church; 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" atmosphere, and he has a following on Facebook and TikTok; and

 

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.

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