/ Source: The Associated Press
The Smithfield Post Office is now the Ava Gardner Post Office.
President Bush signed legislation Monday to rename the post office in honor of the Oscar-nominated actress, who grew up in Johnston County.
“Ava Gardner was a small-town girl who became a big-time celebrity,” said Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-N.C., who sponsored the bill to rename the post office.
“She represents the can-do attitude and patriotism of the people of Smithfield and Johnston County,” Etheridge said.
Gardner was nominated for a best-actress Oscar for 1953’s “Mogambo.” Her films also include “The Night of the Iguana” and “On the Beach.”
She had a series of high-profile marriages, to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra. The actress died in 1990, at age 67.