Mr. George Edwin Smith, Jr., 86, of Columbia, died Wednesday, November 20, 2019. He was a son of the late George Edwin Smith, Sr. and Florence Louise Bostick Smith, and was married to Judith Leann Boyd Smith for 53 years. Edwin grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, attended Riverside Military Academy and later graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech. He served in the United States Navy.
Edwin was creative, interested in building methods, sustainable housing, and the environment. With his parents' support, he constructed Mii-dera Gardens apartments in Little Mountain, followed later by an active and passive solar home in Fairfield County.
He loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, nature study and visiting state and national parks. Always active, he was a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, past president of the Little Mountain Ruritan Club, and a lifetime member of the Navy League of the U.S.
He was a loving husband, a caring father, and a fun "Papa" to his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, his daughters, Caryl Simpson of Aberdeen, North Carolina and Heather Smith (Abdellah) of Columbia; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his brother, Calvin D. Smith of Rockledge, Florida. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sons, George E. Smith, III and Christopher Smith.
A graveside service will be held 2 o'clock, Sunday, November 24th, at the Quaker Cemetery, 713 Meeting Street, Camden, South Carolina. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 o'clock, Saturday, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC.
Memorials may be given to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, GA 30047 or Habitat for Humanity, 322 West Lamar Street, Americus, GA 31709-9906.