Mr. Samuel Eugene Smith, 78, of the Columbia area, died on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Born in 1947 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Samuel Smith and Ruth Falls McNaull Smith.

Sam made friends easily and had a powerful sense of integrity, grounded in a deep and abiding faith and a noble conscience.

Sam graduated with the last graduating class of Winthrop Training School in Rock Hill, SC (Kindergarten through 12th grade). He earned a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Clemson, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Converse, and a master's degree in media arts from USC. A dedicated teacher of mathematics and science, he taught at McCrorey-Liston, Southside, Fairfield Central, Ninety-Six, and Spring Valley High Schools.

During the final phase of school integration in South Carolina, Sam was an early volunteer to teach at a majority-Black school. He often put himself at personal risk in order to do what was right.

Sam was more than a teacher, though. As the son and grandson of carpenters, he enjoyed making artisan crafts and furniture, and was the contractor for his own home.

Sam was also a teacher of teachers: he wrote and sold supplemental math textbooks in several states. He ran sound at Northeast Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon, always looking for ways to serve the church. He was an avid square dancer, a loving father, and an amazing husband. He loved singing with the Valley Voices Choir from Spring Valley Baptist Church.
Sam got much pleasure in writing his memoirs in short stories. His family enjoyed reading and hearing the stories of his youth and the antics of Sam and his friends.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bobbitt Lyle Smith; his son, Andrew Smith, and his partner, Alley Borda; his sister, Nancy Smith Jones; his brother, John Robert Smith; his niece, Ashley Jones Lawson; and his nephew, Paul Jones.

The memorial service will be held at 3 o'clock on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Rd, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church, beginning at 2 o'clock until 3 o'clock. Committal will follow the service in Northeast Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Rd, in honor of Mr. Samuel Eugene Smith.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.