Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO CONGRATULATE THE HONORABLE DARLENE R. SMITH OF BEAUFORT COUNTY AFTER SERVING AS A MAGISTRATE JUDGE FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS, TO COMMEND HER FOR HER DEDICATION AND HARD WORK, AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the Honorable Darlene R. Smith is retiring after almost eighteen years of distinguished service to Beaufort County as a magistrate judge; and
Whereas, born to Donald W. and Joyce P. Rogers of Hardeeville, South Carolina, Judge Smith is a native of the Low Country. She was raised in Hardeeville, where her parents brought her up in the Hardeeville Baptist Church; and
Whereas, she graduated high school at Thomas Heyward Academy in 1985 where she actively participated in sports; and
Whereas, her parents and family instilled moral and ethical qualities, including a dedicated work ethic. Her first job was working on a family farm during middle and high school. Upon completion of high school, she worked at First National Bank of Orangeburg (Hardeeville Branch); and
Whereas, in June 1987, she was employed as a Secretary/Bookkeeper for the Honorable Judge Rita A. Simmons and she quickly learned the ropes. Judge Simmons was a mentor to her and taught her an even stronger work ethic and what it meant to be part of the Judiciary; and
Whereas, in June 1994, she was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the late Judge Cecil Reynolds. At the time of her appointment, she was one of the youngest appointed and still is the youngest to be appointed as a Magistrate in Beaufort County; and
Whereas, Judge Smith was named as Chief Magistrate upon the retirement of Judge Rita Simmons in October 2009, where she has served proudly until the announcement of her retirement; and
Whereas, Judge Smith has freely volunteered her time to teach or speak for civic groups, law enforcement/victim's training, and legal update courses. She has logged hundreds of hours of CLE hours along with taking additional courses that were not required in order to further her education; and
Whereas, Judge Smith has worked tirelessly to strive for the integrity of the Judiciary and to make sure that all persons who appear before her were treated with dignity and respect; and
Whereas, she looks forward to her retirement with her husband LTC Clyde S. Cochrane III, US ARMY (active duty). They have received orders to report to Oahu, Hawaii for the next three years; and
Whereas, it is fitting for the members of the Senate to pause in their deliberations to congratulate the Honorable Darlene Smith on the occasion of her retirement. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the Honorable Darlene R. Smith of Beaufort County after serving as a magistrate judge for eighteen years, to commend her for her dedication and hard work, and to wish her much success and happiness in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Judge Darlene Smith.
This web page was last updated on March 7, 2012 at 2:33 PM