A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE ELIZABETH ANNE SMITH OF TAYLORS ON THE OCCASION OF HER NINEtIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HER MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives take great joy in honoring individuals who have lived lives of purpose, perseverance, and unshakable faith, and who serve as living examples of the values that strengthen our communities and families; and

 

Whereas, Elizabeth Anne Smith, born on May 10, 1935, in Lenoir City, Tennessee, came into the world during the hardships of the Great Depression and grew up on a humble family farm. The daughter of Lon and Mamie Abbott, Anne was shaped by the virtues of hard work, thrift, and service-a legacy of Southern agrarian life that she has proudly carried forward; and

 

Whereas, Anne became the first in her family to attend college, earning her degree from Bob Jones University, and later a master's degree from Bowling Green State University. A gifted educator, she invested her talents in teaching high school English, mentoring students at Bob Jones University, and shaping countless lives through her work at BJU Press; and

 

Whereas, on August 18, 1956, Anne married Norman Earl Smith, the love of her life. Their marriage of twenty-four years was marked by faith, devotion, and shared purpose, until his passing in 1980. As a young widow, Anne modeled strength and grace, pouring herself into her children, her students, her church, and her community; and

 

Whereas, she is the beloved mother of Pamela K. (Smith) Frank and David A. Smith, cherished grandmother of Stephen Frank, Matthew Frank, Jason Smith, and Brian Smith, and proud great-grandmother of six. Since 1981, she has lived in Taylors, South Carolina, where her home has been a place of laughter, wisdom, prayer, and delicious meals. For over thirty years, Anne prepared Saturday night suppers and holiday feasts, knitting generations together around her table and her prayers; and

 

Whereas, affectionately known by many as "Grandma Anne," she is more than a grandmother-she is the spiritual and emotional matriarch of her family. She prays for each of her children and grandchildren by name daily, and she loves "her boys"-her grandsons-fiercely; and

 

Whereas, Anne has also been a devoted member of Morningside Baptist Church for over three decades, faithfully serving in the nursery and volunteering in the church office. She has "adopted" many students during her years teaching, offering them not just knowledge but home-cooked meals, wise counsel, and warm friendship; and

 

Whereas, Anne's life is filled with quiet, humble triumphs: an accomplished seamstress who once sewed the bridesmaids' dresses for her son's wedding, a prize-winning cook whose recipes have graced magazines and newspaper pages, a master gardener, and a tireless worker who never stopped giving of herself; and

 

Whereas, it is a great pleasure to honor this adopted daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her ninetieth birthday, and it is a further pleasure to join with her grateful family and friends she has nourished in every way in congratulating her 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 Elizabeth Anne Smith of Taylors on the occasion of her ninetieth birthday and wish her much happiness in the days ahead.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Elizabeth Anne Smith.

----XX----