Submitted by Amanda Allen Morrell, Public Relations
The Latta Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year recipients for 2016 are Sam and Carole Clardy.

The club nominates and selects by committee a worthy candidate each year, and they are featured on the annual Rotary Club calendar along with serving as the marshal in the Latta Christmas Parade. This couple has dedicated their lives to service and are more than worthy of this honor. A special program was held late in 2015 to reveal the selection. Sam and Carole were both shocked and perhaps a little relieved as Carole believed she was there to give a program on her teaching career!
The pair was also surprised by guests that included two of their daughters and a former coaching colleague. Kind words of reverence and love were provided by family, friends and colleagues that gave a glimpse of the God-fearing couple’s journey through the years.
Sam was the son of Cermette and Billie Clardy and attended Dillon High School, Wofford College, and Duke Divinity Course of Study. He dedicated his life to teaching and coaching and eventually to the Lord as a minister in the Methodist Church serving in Aynor and Marlboro Counties. Carole was the daughter of Thomas and Agnes Judy and attended Orangeburg High School, Columbia College and the University of South Carolina. Her career as an English teacher lasted thirty years, and so many in this community were touched by her compassion and kindness. Together, they have one son and three daughters along with nine grandchildren.
This is a couple described with words such as humble, dependable, faithful, noble and loving. Their lives are full of rich stories related to their devotion to church, family and education.
Sam and Carole have played many roles over the years and are valued members of the Latta community. Even while living in other places, they always considered this town to be their home. The Latta Rotary Club is pleased to honor such a Godly couple with this award. The club’s motto is “Service Above Self”, and the Clardys are shining examples of this way of life.