Recalled

April 30, 2025

S. 614

Introduced by Senator Matthews

S. Printed 4/30/25--S.

Read the first time April 29, 2025

________

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME Holly Hall Road IN Beaufort COUNTY "Reverend Jeannine R. Smalls road" AND ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Jeannine R. Smalls on Saturday, March 15, 2025; and

Whereas, a native of McClellanville, Reverend Smalls was the faithful pastor of Grace Chapel AME Church in Beaufort. She was also a retired social worker; and

Whereas, Reverend Smalls earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from Hunter College in New York City, her master's degree in social work, administration, and gerontology from Fordham University, also in New York City, and her Master of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West; and

Whereas, Reverend Smalls began her career in ministry in 2003 with the merger of three congregations: Progressive AME, St. Phillip AME, and St. Barnabas St. Paul AME. These congregations are now under the name of Greater Middleton Chapel AME Church in Charleston; and

Whereas, during her ministry at Greater Middleton Chapel, Reverend Smalls organized a candlelight prayer vigil against violence on the Eastside, organized community meetings to support sustainability, supported Sanders Clyde Elementary School, and contributed to a community food distribution program, a health and wellness program, the Healthy Moms/Healthy Babies Project, and the PAN (Physical Activity and Nutrition) Project; and

Whereas, Reverend Smalls served as the secretary of the AME Ministerial Alliance, secretary of the 7th Episcopal District Women in Ministry organization, and member of the March of Dimes statewide Program Services Committee; and

Whereas, over the years, Reverend Smalls has received a number of honors and awards, including her 1992 recognition by the South Carolina DHEC Office of Social Work as Social Worker of the Year. In April 2006, she received the "Women of Distinction" award at Macedonia AME Church in Charleston, and she was inducted into the Mt. Pleasant District 2006 Hall of Fame with the "Strength of Choice" award. She is noted for her work with minority faith communities in planning and with the Widows Alliance of the 7th Episcopal District in acquiring grants to address health disparities; and

Whereas, it would be only fitting and proper to pay tribute to this daughter of South Carolina by naming a portion of road in the State in her honor. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name Holly Hall Road in Beaufort County "Reverend Jeannine R. Smalls Road" and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing the designation.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation and presented to the family of Reverend Jeannine R. Smalls.

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