Orangeburg Pharmacy owner Rebecca S. “Becky” Gramling shed tears of joy Thursday evening when it dawned on her the description being read for the winner of the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year was in fact her.

“I would not get this award if it had not been for my employees and customers,” said a still-surprised Gramling following the banquet. “I appreciate every one of them for their support and their business.”

The award is sponsored by First Citizens Bank to honor a business person who has succeeded in entrepreneurial endeavors, is supportive of the Orangeburg County community and is innovative in sales approach.

The award was presented at a banquet held in The Cinema.

Gramling jokingly said she was going to have to chastise her husband, Bill, about knowing about the recognition and not telling her. Gramling said she knew about the award when Bill grinned upon the mention of the award winner being a University of South Carolina graduate.

“It was funny because I had no idea,” she said.

Gramling also credited the award to the late R. Sumpter Williams Sr. in helping her success over the years and her 12 employees for keeping the pharmacy viable over time. Gramling began working at the Orangeburg Pharmacy in 1978.

The pharmacy opened June 14, 1912, through the partnership of two men — Wannamaker Drug Store owner the late J.G. Wannamaker and Williams. The pharmacy is considered Orangeburg’s oldest.

In the early 1970s, Orangeburg Pharmacy moved from its former site — next door to First Baptist Church on Russell Street — to its current location.

Gramling purchased the pharmacy from Sumpter and Mary Williams in the early 1990s.

Gramling says success has come by adjusting to changing times.

“We are creatures that don’t like change, but to be in the business today, you have to be willing to change and adapt to the environment,” she said.

Orangeburg Pharmacy has medical equipment, diabetic and ostomy supplies, accepts all major insurance plans and offers delivery service. The pharmacy is also stocked with knitting supplies and knitting classes are offered at the store.

Gramling is a certified diabetes educator and has classes to help educate diabetics.

She is a former president of the Pilot Club, is a current member of and has served on the boards of the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association, the Edisto Habitat for Humanity and the Orangeburg Rotary Club.

Gramling attends St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where she teaches Sunday school.

Gramling and her husband have a daughter, Suzanne Aranda.

The business award was among the many recognitions and accolades at the banquet.

The 20 2009 graduates of Leadership Orangeburg County also received their certificates.

The class kept busy this year taking a tour of the South Carolina Electric & Gas Cope Generating Station, receiving an overview of the Edisto Habitat for Humanity program, visiting the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety’s firing range, where the class received demos, and the Columbia Statehouse where they met with the Legislature and the local legislative delegation.

As part of its fund-raising, the class purchased books for the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Orangeburg County Council on Aging, the Orangeburg County Disabilities and Special Needs Board and the William J. McCord Adolescent Treatment Facility. Each agency received about $900.

Dinner was served by Buck Ridge Plantation.

The presenting sponsor for the banquet, themed “Membership: The Key to Success” was South Carolina Federal Credit Union.

Other banquet sponsors included Gold Sponsor (Awards)-Cox Industries Inc., Silver sponsor-Claflin University and Bronze Sponsor (Design/Printing Services)-The Times and Democrat.

Banquet highlights

* In addition to the Business Person of the Year, three Orangeburg County high school seniors were awarded $500 scholarships. The scholarships, sponsored by AT&T, were presented to Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School students Tiffany Grant and Harold Rickenbacker, and Edisto High School student Ashlynn Turner.

* Chairman’s Award for outstanding support and service to the chamber — The Okonite Co. plant manager Sherill Newnam.

* The Spirit Award — Ken Panitt, Cox Industries marketing manager, for outstanding leadership to make Orangeburg County a better place to live.

* The chamber also paid tribute to members who have served the organization with notable enthusiasm and outgoing officers and board members .The newly elected board members were introduced.

Chamber Chairman for 2010 will be Michael (Mikee) Johnson, Cox Industries; chairman-elect will be Raoul Sailer, South Carolina Federal Credit Union; immediate past chair, Jane Carson, the Regional Medical Center; treasurer, Matthew Way, First Citizens Bank.

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