It wasn't the speech about being a hometown boy that led Stephen Posey to realizing he had been chosen as Small Business Person of the Year on Thursday.
It was hearing that the nominee's family business had been around since 1879.
Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home has been in North Augusta since 1956.
Parks Pharmacy Owner Steve McElmurray, the 1998 recipient, nominated Posey for the award.
"The Posey philosophy has always been to give back to the community and to be a resource for people to call on in times of need," McElmurray wrote in his nomination letter.
Posey's wife, Nancy, said it was hard to keep it a secret that her husband had won the award given by the Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. Award recipients from the past five years choose the winner.
Posey said he is happy the community is satisfied with his services.
"I'm very humbled," he said. "I'm grateful for the compliments of the people of North Augusta."
Posey said he loves being in North Augusta.
"We have the greatest community in America," he said.
He gives back to the community by sponsoring local sports teams and educating the youth by speaking at schools.
Posey recently opened North Augusta's only on-site crematory.
"From the moment you make a call to Posey Funeral Directors or walk through its doors on Georgia Avenue, you understand that this is truly a funeral 'home' welcoming all who enter and treating each with dignity and respect," McElmurray wrote. "He has given his life to serving the people of this community."
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
