106-year-old man receives honorary diploma from high school

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WPDE) — Fred Allen Smalls, 106, received an honorary diploma this past weekend from Georgetown High School in South Carolina.

More than 100 people attended the graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium.

Smalls' granddaughter, Birdella Kinney, worked hard for more than a year to put it all together.

Smalls was born on February 5, 1918, in the Plantersville area of Georgetown County to Joseph Smalls and Ellanora Smalls.

Kinney said he was raised by his grandmother, Daffney Greggs, and his aunt Ella Walker, to whom he attributes his success in life and longevity.

She added Smalls was one of seven children.

“He attended school in Plantersville in a building in the woods without a name. He was able to complete grades 1-5 under the instruction of Mr. Jim Skinner who taught all students in the same classroom. At the early age of 15, he accepted Christ as his Savior at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Plantersville SC," said Kinney.

Smalls then moved to Mullins to seek employment in the tobacco industry and to join his mother, father, and siblings.

Kinney said he “joined and attended the House of Prayer Holiness Church” in Mullins.

Smalls was also able to attend Mullins High School and complete the 8th grade before moving to Washington, D.C.

The City of Mullins and Marion County have also recognized Smalls.

Kinney said while in D.C., her grandfather transferred his church membership to the House of Prayer Holiness Church.

He worked as a janitor at an apartment building for several years. Smalls then worked several jobs before finding his lifelong job with the District of Columbia. He retired in the 1960s when John F. Kennedy was President of the United States.

Since that time, he enjoyed his family and a quiet retirement with Kinney and their dog, Bella. Smalls enjoys watching football, boxing, westerns, and eating good food.

Kinney said he’s also a comedian in his own right.

Most recently, he has been featured in an NBC News Article entitled “Black People are Beating the Odds by Turning 100-and They’re Celebrating on TikTok” in October 2023.

ABC News also featured him as the oldest Philadelphia Eagles fan and had an early 106th birthday celebration with preseason passes and the opportunity to meet and greet star players in September 2023.

He was also awarded an honorary high school diploma from Joel Elias Spingarn Senior High School in November 2023.