Sgt. O.J. Smith Memorial Road

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lonnie Hosey

Renames a segment of Moody Road in Martin, Allendale County, to Sgt. Orenthial J. “O.J.” Smith Memorial Road and requires commemorative signs.

Recalled from Committee on Transportation

Type and Purpose

A concurrent resolution proposing a specific naming action for a segment of Moody Road in the Town of Martin, Allendale County.

Purpose: To request the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) name Moody Road from Millet Road to Patterson Mill Drive as “Sgt. Orenthial J. 'O.J.' Smith Memorial Road” and to erect markers/signs displaying the name.

What the bill does

Directs SCDOT to rename a defined portion of Moody Road (from Millet Road to Patterson Mill Drive) in Martin, Allendale County.

Requires the placement of appropriate markers or signs at the designated location bearing the memorial name.

Provides for the transmission of a copy of the resolution to SCDOT.

Background and Memorialization

The resolution memorializes Sgt. Orenthial J. (O.J.) Smith, born September 20, 1981, a resident of Allendale County and Army veteran who served as a sergeant.

Summary of his service and honors:

Joined the U.S. Army after high school; served as a truck driver with the 123rd Main Support Battalion.
Demonstrated strong leadership, earning a high GPA in training and promotion to sergeant.
Deployed to Kuwait and the Middle East; killed in action in Baghdad on June 22, 2003.
Posthumous decorations include the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart; commemorations include a dining hall named in his honor in Dexheim, Germany.

The resolution frames the renaming as a fitting tribute to a local son who gave his life serving the United States.

Who is affected

Geographic area: Moody Road, from Millet Road to Patterson Mill Drive, in the Town of Martin, Allendale County.

Primary beneficiaries: Loyal residents and visitors of Martin, Allendale County, and the family and community of Sgt. O.J. Smith.

Governmental actors: South Carolina General Assembly (via resolution) and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) with authority to implement road naming and signage.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced and referred to the Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions on March 11, 2026.

The Committee reported the measure as favorable (Invitations and Memorial Resolutions) on April 15, 2026.

The House adopted the measure and sent it to the Senate on April 16, 2026.

As a concurrent resolution, it requires approval by both chambers and is an expression of the General Assembly’s endorsement; it does not by itself change law but requests action by SCDOT.

If SCDOT approves, the road renaming and signage would be implemented per state procedures for commemorative naming.

Key considerations

The bill is ceremonial in nature, aimed at honoring a local veteran and public servant.

The actual renaming and signage depend on SCDOT action following the resolution.

No fiscal appropriations are specified in the bill itself; costs would be borne by SCDOT or through standard signage funds as determined by state policy.

Bill