South Carolina H 5685: Smith Funeral Home, 75th anniversary

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5685 Text of Previous Version (May. 12, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5685

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE the Smith Funeral Home of Florence ON 
the OCCASION OF ITS RECENT seventy-fifth anniversary AND TO WISH THIS FAMILY-OWNED 
BUSINESS MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE DAYS TO COME.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Smith Funeral 
Home of Florence recently celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary; and

Whereas, J.O. Smith, a 
native of Bennettsville, founder of the Smith Funeral Home, and a licensed 
funeral director and embalmer, began his business in Florence in October 1950. 
He came to Florence after receiving encouragement from some of that worthy city's 
leading citizens, who stated that a first-class business offering funeral 
services was needed. Mr. Smith was assisted by his wife, Annette McCollum 
Smith, who served as a secretary-receptionist for the firm and who was a 
licensed funeral director; and

Whereas, in 2025, the 
business marked seventy-five years of service to the citizens of Florence and 
surrounding areas. It has prospered for two reasons: services and equipment. 
For example, the Smith Funeral Home was the first to have limousines for the 
families they served in the area, along with the spacious chapel of convenience 
for the use of these families. The firm remains a family-owned and family-operated 
enterprise; and

Whereas, the firm's building 
was completely renovated in 1964. It now stands as a memorial to the many 
families the business has been privileged to serve over the years; and

Whereas, in time, the 
second generation, James Lawrence Smith and his wife, Felicia R. Smith-Charles, 
took over operation of the business. Today, Felicia R. Smith-Charles serves as 
president and owner, and her son, J. Lawrence Smith II of the third generation, 
serves as vice president; and

Whereas, the House of 
Representatives takes great pleasure in recognizing this respected and 
established business and in honoring the fine service it has provided for 
three-quarters of a century. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, congratulate the Smith Funeral Home of Florence on the 
occasion of its recent seventy-fifth anniversary and wish this family-owned 
business much continued success in the days to come.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Felicia R. Smith-Charles and J. 
Lawrence Smith II for the firm.

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This web page was last updated on May 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM