Orene N. "Polly Newell" Smith

Orene (Polly) N. Smith, resident of Wesley Commons, Greenwood, SC, wife of the late George Anthony Smith, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.  Born in Abbeville, SC December 25, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Baskin Newell and Louise Milford Newell. Polly graduated from Abbeville High School.  She worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company as a switch board operator for two years.  Later, she was an assistant to George Settles at WABV Radio Station.  Polly served the County’s Development Board for nine years as the executive secretary.  She was instrumental in the county industrial growth assisting in securing five industries for Abbeville.  Polly played a huge role in the unfolding of a dream, one that ushered the historic small town of Abbeville, SC into a new age of tourism and community pride.  She was very involved in helping in the startup of the Revitalization of Abbeville, the Opera House and Belmont Inn.  The personification of Abbeville was always represented by Polly. Polly and her husband, George, started Life Line in Abbeville giving local elderly a sense of security with the installation of a specialized device into numerous area homes allowing the elderly to contact the hospital at the touch of a single button. Polly was an active member of the Heritage House, Chamber of Commerce, Creative Garden Club, Mental Health Association, Spring Festival and named Woman of the Year in 1964 by the Pilot Club. She was a devoted member of Main Street United Methodist Church for over 50 years, taught Sunday School and served on numerous committees.  Through her extraordinary talents she created beautiful wedding gowns, prom dresses, competition gowns, christening gowns, designer ensembles, window fabrications, minister’s vestments, table runners, costumes, needle point and cross-stitch. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Thelma Suber and Doris Richey; and eight brothers, Westfield, Edward (Buddy), Jack, Joe, Richard (Dick), Ray, Morty and Adolphus. Polly was married to her beloved husband, George A. Smith, for 29 years.  She is survived by many special nieces and nephews who loved and adored her. The family will receive friends 1:00PM – 2:00PM, Saturday, July 1, 2017 in the Main Street United Methodist Church sanctuary, 300 N. Main Street, Abbeville, SC 29620.  Funeral services will begin at 2:30PM in the church sanctuary.  Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions, in memory of Polly, may be sent to Main Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 656, Abbeville, SC 29620, or Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646, or Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com . Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Abbeville is assisting the Smith family.