Saturday, September 7, 2024
I'm so glad that I got to meet such a wonderful man! I started working in the Dutch Square Mall in Columbia almost 2 years ago. Mr Smitty would always be sitting in the bench in his spot by the old China Buffet, reading his newspaper. I gradually started to speak to him just saying hello, then one day it was on my heart to ask him if he was hungry. After that day he became family to me and the ladies in Rainbow. We loved him like he was family. We made sure he had home cooked meals, we got him things he wanted from the store and money to get his favorite " The 5 for $5 at Wendy's" and during the holiday time, we put together a basket of goodies, socks, and other things to let him know he was thought of often. I just want y'all to know how sweet & kind he was to us, he will never be forgotten. I see some older gentleman walking about the mall with those full long white beards and I instantly think of him! He left an impact on my heart! Sending my heartfelt condolences to the Strickland family! And May he rest peacefully.