A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVE AND FORMER SPRINGDALE MAYOR PAT G. SMITH JR., AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Honorable Pat G. Smith Jr., a native of Springdale at the age of 74. Smith led an inspiring life of remarkable achievement and grace as a public servant, husband, mentor, and friend to many; and

 

Whereas, born May 17, 1951, in Cairo, Georgia, Smith was one of five children born to the late Pat Gaulden and Rubye Dilliard Smith. The family moved to Springdale in 1955 and were active members of First Baptist Church in West Columbia. Pat would later serve the church as a deacon and marry Rosalie D. Smith, his wife of thirty-seven years in its sanctuary. He was a 1969 graduate of Airport High School, attended Anderson College, and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Newberry College. He furthered his education at the University of South Carolina with a master's degree in public administration; and

 

Whereas, in 1971, he began what became a nearly fifty-year career at Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, a state agency for at-risk youth. Smith dedicated his professional career to the school in various capacities, with his longest stint as agency head from 1998 to June 30, 2025; and

 

Whereas, a devoted public servant, Smith was the second longest serving mayor in Lexington County history, serving as mayor of Springdale for nearly three decades. He also served on numerous boards that included the South Carolina Municipal Association, the Central Midlands Regional Council of Governments, Central Regional Transit Authority, president of the South Carolina Association of Regional Councils, member and vice chair of the Joint Water and Sewer Commission, the State Workforce Development Board, and the Richland-Lexington Airport District Commission; and

 

Whereas, over the years, Smith received a number of well-deserved honors and awards that included the Richard M. Kuffel Award for Excellence in Education and the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor, presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service, and contributions on a national or statewide scale; and

 

Whereas, the role Smith cherished most however was as a family man and Uncle Pat. He and Rosalie loved their nieces and nephews, routinely celebrating baptisms, dance recitals, graduations, summer excursions, Christmas parties, weddings, and births at their home. Once, they even hosted dinner for the entire Lees-McRae College tennis team. Little else surpassed the joy those remarkable young people brought to his life. He and Rosalie enjoyed sharing their many blessings with others, grateful to God for their forty-seven wonderful years together; and

 

Whereas, with his devoted wife by his side, Pat peacefully went home to be with the Lord on July 15, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother William T., sister Marcia Anne Easler, and brother George Smith. Pat leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Rosalie D. Smith, a brother, John Smith of Springdale, his beloved niece, Katie Easler Prater (Ervin) of Inman and their precious daughters, Anna Gray and Emma; brother-in-law Chris Easler of Spartanburg; many wonderful cousins and numerous friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of South Carolina native and former Springdale Mayor Pat G. Smith Jr., and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Rosalie D. Smith.

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