James Smith, Sr.

James Ayers Smith, Sr. of 310 Essex Ridge Court, Spartanburg, died Friday, June 21, 2013 at Summit Hills Assisted Living after an extended illness. A husband, father, teacher, musician and soldier, he was married to the former Peggy Pinner Pond for 5 years. He was a longtime member of Morningside Baptist Church and the Summit Hills Assisted Living Sunday School class. He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina to Walter Claude and Montie Elizabeth Ayers Smith on December 10, 1929. After attending Spartanburg public schools, he graduated from both Wofford and Converse Colleges with undergraduate degrees in psychology and music education, respectively, and a graduate degree in Music Education. He was a member of the SC National Guard; and upon graduation from college, he entered the U.S. Army and later the U.S. Army Active Reserve, retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel. The pinnacle of his military band career culminated as the guest conductor of the U. S. Army Band on the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. He was the band director at Union High School for a number of years, before moving to Spartanburg. In Spartanburg, Mr. Smith was the Coordinator of Band Instruction for District 7 public schools, where he developed an outstanding curriculum of music education that yielded award-winning results. His bands were invited to perform in national events as well as in Europe. Mr. Smith was an active member and officer in various professional music education associations including SCMEA, SCBDA, ASBDA and MENC. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of both the SCMEA and the SCBDA. Mr. Smith was also involved in church music as a choir and orchestra director at many churches in the Upstate area. Survivors in addition to his wife are two sons, James Ayers Smith, Jr. and Walter Andrew Smith (Rosalyn) of Harker Heights, TX; a daughter, Ruth Elizabeth Smith Fike (Robert) of Springfield, VA; two grandchildren, Melissa Anne and Stephen Wesley Fike, also of Springfield, VA. He is also survived by his sister, Joye Smith Brannon (Kenneth) of Greensboro; step-sister, Nancy Babb Brown of Boiling Springs, SC; step-brother, Bobby Heyward Babb of Spartanburg; two step-sons, Dr. Samuel Barber Pond, III (Susan) of Cary, NC and Lee MacRae Pond (Pamela) of Ellicott City, MD; step-daughter, Donna Pond Tracy (Dr. Kevin Tracy) of Spartanburg; six step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren; and also a niece, a nephew, seven great-nieces and nephews, and an uncle, Bill Otts of Spartanburg. Mr. Smith is predeceased by his first wife of 52 years, Ruth Anne Johnson, and his parents. The family will have visitation at the Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel on Sunday evening, June 23rd from 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 24, at 11am at Morningside Baptist Church, 897 S. Pine Street, with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615, or the charity of one's choice. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Ayers Smith, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.