J. Roland Smith
Roland Smith | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 84th district | |
| In office March 1989 – December 2, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Billy Jones |
| Succeeded by | Chris Corley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 26, 1933 Aiken, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | June 30, 2025 (aged 92) |
| Political party | Republican (since 1993) Democratic (until 1993) |
| Spouse | Peggy Cato |
| Children | 3, including Garry R. Smith |
| Residence | Warrenville, South Carolina |
| Occupation | Minister, postman |
J. Roland Smith (February 26, 1933 – June 30, 2025) was an American politician who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Early life, education and career
A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Smith earned a Doctorate of Divinity at the Universal Bible Institute in Alamo, Tennessee[1] and was a former Pentecostal minister and postman.[2] He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, earning the National Defense Service Medal.[3]
Political career
Smith served the 84th District. He was first elected in 1989 as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican Party in 1993.[4] He was a former chairman of the South Carolina House Ethics Committee, having held the position during an investigation of governor Nikki Haley in 2012.[5] He announced his retirement on December 30, 2013.
Personal life and death
Smith was married to Peggy Cato since 1953. They had three children, Garry, Todd and Caroline. The family lived in Warrenville, South Carolina.
Smith died on June 30, 2025, at the age of 92.[6] Governor Henry McMaster announced that flags would be lowered in the late Representative's honor. On July 3, 2025, Executive Order 2025-25 was filed for that purpose.[7]
References
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved Jun 26, 2020.
- ^ "James Roland Smith Obituary June 30, 2025". Jackson Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ McCord, Susan (2019-05-29). "Anderson first to announce run for SC House seat". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- ^ "S.C. Rep. Roland Smith won't run for re-election | Aiken Standard". Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
- ^ Bengtson, Bill (2025-07-02). "Longtime neighbors salute memory of former state representative Roland Smith". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ "Executive Order 2025-25" (PDF). Office of the Governor of South Carolina. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.