Lever Hall of Fame Class of 2021
Raymond Boozer
Raymond Boozer dedicated twenty-nine years as Clemson University Extension Services Assistant, Associate, and County Leader for Lexington County. He organized fourteen Community Development Clubs throughout Lexington County, including the formation of the Gilbert, Lake Murray, Round Hill, and Boiling Springs Community Clubs. In his twenty-five years of service to the 4-H club, he provided leadership to establish 4-H Clubs and programs in county schools, as well as encourage youth participation in various 4-H camps and community service projects. His work helped to foster youth citizenship, leadership, responsibility, and life skills.
He also led an initiative to bring a hospital to Lexington County, Lexington Medical Center, and organized community development groups to start a countywide fire service. In addition, he and his wife, Alice Boozer, founded the Lexington County Peach Festival in 1959 to promote the county’s major farming industry, the peach. He also was a founding Board member for the Gilbert Community Park.
Thomas Bryson
From 1954 to 1986, Thomas Bryson served Clemson Extension. He worked as the County Extension Director for Greenwood County. He organized the Greenwood County Farmers Market and initiated the annual “Pioneer Farmers Award” honor program. Not only that, but he also developed a county tree nursery operation at a local prison with inmate participation and training and started cooperative community garden spots in the city of Greenwood. Bryson worked closely with local garden clubs, as well as county and city beautification commissions, homeowners, schools, industries, and institutions. In addition, Bryson provided training experiences to Greenwood County through workshops, tours, site demonstrations, individual consultations, and educational meetings.
Joe Cely
For thirty years, Joe Cely worked with Extension, helping those specifically in Greenville, Laurens, Allendale, Barnwell, and Florence Counties. Cely worked in Greenville County for a short 3 months but made a difference there. He helped with 4-H Youth Work and General Agriculture, and led the 4-H Pig Show at the Upper State Fair. In Laurens County, he trained many 4-H teams and created demonstrations for Thornwell Home for Children. In Allendale County, he worked in Agronomy, Livestock, and General Agriculture. Later in Barnwell County, he was involved in all row crop, horticultural, and livestock operations. He was particularly influential in increasing the acreage of peanuts in the county, training cotton scouts, and creating a cotton scouting service. In Florence County, he worked largely with row crop agriculture, developing an Extension Tobacco Scouting Service.
Anthony "Tony" Melton
Mr. Anthony Melton worked from Clemson Extension from 1980-1995 and from 1997-2021. During this time, he served as the Senior County Agent in Horticulture for the Pee Dee Region. He worked on a research project to develop heat tolerant butterbeans, helped in developing several varieties of southern peas, and made improvements to Clemson Spineless okra.
Steve Odom Jr.
Stephen Odom, Jr. worked with Clemson University from 1971 to 1998. During this time, he served as Assistant County Agent for Edgefield County, Small Farms Coordinator for Greenwood and McCormick Counties, County Extension Director for Greenwood County, and Country Extension Director for Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry Counties.
