Calhoun County native Dr. Clemmie E. Webber of Orangeburg was recognized for more than three decades of volunteer service recently.

November marked the 35th year of the 94-year-old's dedication to the Orangeburg County Council on Aging, Amelia Housing Corp., Holly Way Elderly Housing Inc. and Morgan Lane Elderly Housing Inc.

"Clemmie Webber is one of the founders of Orangeburg County Council on Aging," said Chester Tomson, board president of the Amelia Village Housing Corp. "She was there from the beginning. Her contributions to Council on Aging, the senior citizens of this county and state and to a betterment of race relations as well are legion. She has been named 'Mother of the Year' and could very easily be named 'Citizen of the Century.'"

As a token of appreciation, Tomson announced that one of the structures at Amelia Village will be named the Dr. Clemmie E. Webber building.

"Webber is an energetic and caring person who has served her community, state and nation in many capacities," said Lynn Hall, regional property manager for N&H Enterprises Inc., referring to the roles Webber has had as co-owner of The College Soda Shop, national officer of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, chairperson of Orangeburg School District Five Board of Trustees, South Carolina Mother of the Year and American Mother of the Year.

"I learned a lot about Clemmie when I read her book ("The Treadwell Street Saga") about her move from St. Matthews to Orangeburg," Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller said.

Webber is also the author of "The College Soda Shop: An Education for Life."

"Orangeburg is blessed to have several senior citizens who are still actively involved and who have made such an impact on our community," Miller said.

Hall noted that Webber has been "an integral part of providing safe, decent and affordable housing to the elderly population in Orangeburg County for the past 20 years."

"She has assisted and inspired each of the owner boards of the properties to look towards the future and to find ways to expand the housing communities for the elderly population in the Orangeburg County area," Hall added.

"Good things come in small packages," said Webber's son, Judge Paul Webber III. "Since I was a child, my mother has always been looking for ways to make things better for her family and her community. My mother can get more done in a day than the average person can get done in a week. She believes that she'd much rather wear out than rust away."

Speaking to her close friends and family who attended the celebration ceremony, Webber said, "There are many wonderful things in this life. I have to keep on preaching the word -- 'Don't give up.' Sometimes you are at a crossroads, and you can't give up. When you give up, you lose the battle."

Webber expressed her concern that she has observed fewer family members visiting their relatives who reside in housing villages. She offered this charge to the children of those elderly parents: "My challenge to you is to do whatever it takes, no matter what is happening in the United States. Parents are still parents. Where is honor? Where is love?"

"My heart will always be wrapped up in what Orangeburg County Council on Aging and Amelia Village have done. Orangeburg agencies, all of them, we need each other," she said.

Webber is a graduate of Claflin University, South Carolina State University and American University. She has taught at the elementary, high school and university levels. She retired from South Carolina State University as a professor of science education. She and her late husband, Paul Webber Jr. are the parents of three children, Paul III, Carolyn and Sheryl. She has eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

T&D Correspondent Donna L. Holman can be reached by e-mail at ladyflyer7@msn.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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