Occupation: Pres., The Tire Exchange, Inc.

Biography:SMITH, Jefferson Verne [R]--(Dist. No. 5, Greenville Co.)--Pres., The Tire Exchange, Inc., in Greer, Mauldin, and Simpsonville; residing at 113 Peachtree Dr., Greer; b. Jan. 15, 1925 in Greer; s. Jefferson Verne and Lillian (Farley) Smith; g. Greer High School; attended Presbyterian Coll., 1942-43; Nov. 27, 1947 m. Jean Myers of Simpsonville, 2 children, Jefferson Verne, Jr. and Carole Jean Smith Olmert; Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Greer; Bd. of Dirs. and Corporate VP, Hercules Tire and Rubber Co.; Bd. of Comrs., S.C. School for the Deaf & Blind, 1964-69; Bd. of Dirs.: S.C. Tire Dealers Assn., 1964-65; S.C. Peach Festival Assn.; Peace Center for Performing Arts, 1989; MUSC, 1985-88, Emeritus, 1990-; Jaycee Outstanding Young Man of the Year, 1957; Legislator of the Year awards presented by: Greenville-News Piedmont, 1983; S.C. Wildlife Fed., 1983; S.C. Chap. Natl. Hemophilia Foundation, 1983; MADD, 1984; S.C. Soc. of Ophthalmology, 1985; S.C. Pharmacists Assn., 1986; S.C. Autism Soc., 1987-88; S.C. Assn. of Residential Care Facilities, 1987; S.C. Funeral Dirs. Assn., 1987; S.C. Chamber of Commerce, 1988; S.C. Chap. Amer. Soc. of Landscape Architects, 1989; S.C. Hosp. Assn., 1991; S.C. School Bds. Assn., 1992; Amer. Legion, 1994; S.C. Assn. of Children's Homes, 1994; S.C. Assn. of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging, 1997; S.C. Assn. of Realtors, 1997; S.C. Public Health Assn., 1998; S.C. Assn. of Housing Authority Dirs., 1999; Distinguished Serv. Award, Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1974; Outstanding Leadership Award, North Greenville Coll., 1985; Presbyterian Coll. Distinguished Alumni Gold P Award, 1986; President's Award, S.C. Med. Assn., 1988; Watershed Conservationist of the Year, 1988; Hon. Doctorate of Humane Letters, MUSC, 1990; Hon. Doctorate of Public Serv., Presbyterian Coll., 2001; Hon. Doctorate of Public Serv. by Univ. of S.C., Spartanburg, May 11, 2002; Serv. Award from Travelers Rest City Council, 1992; Meritorious Medal, S.C. Mil. Dept., 1992; Chm.'s Award, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 1996; Public Serv. Award, S.C. Friends of the Library, 1997; Guardian of Small Bus. Award, 1999; Lifetime Achievement Award, Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, 1999; Citizen of the Year, Greer Lion's Club, 2000; Serv. Award, S.C. Council of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Authorities, 2000; Legis. Advocacy Award by GHS, Sept. 2001; Legislator of the Year, NASW, Mar. 2002; Hammer & Trowel Award, Home Builders Assn., Mar. 2002; The 2003 Strom Thurmond Leadership Award by Greenville Co. Rep. Party; 2004, the S.C. State Sen. authorized the hanging of a portrait of Senator Smith in the Sen. Chamber; bldgs. and awards named in honor: J. Verne Smith Recreational Park on Lake Robinson; J. Verne Smith Library/Tech. Resources Center, Greenville Tech. Coll.; J. Verne Smith Human Resource Center, Greer; J. Verne Smith Gallery, S.C. Dept. of Archives & History, Cola.; J. Verne Smith Parkway, Greenville/Spartanburg Cos.; J. Verne Smith Residence Hall, Gov.'s School for Arts & Humanities, Greenville; The J. Verne Smith Greenville Area Mental Health Center Auditorium; J. Verne Smith Award by S.C. Assn. of Residential Care Homes; J. Verne Smith Humanitarian Award by Greenville Co. Developmental Disabilities Foundation; Eagle Scout; Order of the Arrow; Order of the Palmetto; Kappa Alpha Order; 32nd Degree Mason; Shriner, Hejaz Temple; mil. serv.: USA, 1943-46; prev. serv. in Sen. 1972-05.