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Hugh Smith Obituary
He was 90 and died at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.
Smith's name was well-known in the community from those who passed his Horse & Pony Farm on Poplar Pike near Hacks Cross to the people who read his homespun, down-to-earth newspaper columns in The Commercial Appeal and the Germantown News.
Smith's last column in The Commercial Appeal appeared Dec. 16 when he recalled Christmas memories from the various farms where he lived during his life.
Smith, who opposed development on his 36 acres, was also a community activist. His fight against industrial development near his home helped earn him the 1986 citizen of the year award from the Germantown Lions Club.
Services are scheduled for noon Friday at Germantown United Methodist Church.
Memories and Condolences
for Hugh Smith
27 Entries
Robin Lillard Bates
July 25, 2016
So many of us "horse crazy" kids grew up at the Hugh Frank Smith's Shetland Pony Farm. We learned a great deal about horses and farm life but ended up learning even more about ourselves. Through his great newspaper articles and his story telling at the farm I felt as though I had been to Sunny Crest myself. He was the perfect quiet counterpoint to his very outgoing wife Rachel. He loved his garden and I vividly remember his row of bright zinnias that he planted by the front gate on Poplar Pike. That to me was who he was. A person who provided hours of enjoyment to others with his quiet work. God Speed Mr. Smith!
Chad Truitt
June 14, 2007
I grew up across the street from the Hugh Frank Smith Farm, and that is where I first learned to ride a horse (when I was about 6 years old). Some of my earliest childhood memories are of how much I loved getting to go ride on Mr. Smith's farm. He was ALWAYS happy to see my mom and I and always treated us like family. He had a "way" about him that always made us feel special and important. He will be missed.
Liz (Mary Elizabeth Stewart) Roberts
March 21, 2006
Hugh Frank Smith was a distant relative of mine...He was a brilliant and awesome man...He and my Aunt Liz (Elizabeth Stewart Clark) were cousins but also very close friends...My memories of Hugh Frank that come to mind are visits at "Smith Hill" and an avid Alabama "Roll Tide Fan"...He will be greatly missed by all that knew him and others that were touched by his writings...God Bless You...
Jim Willis
March 8, 2006
My condolences to Hugh Frank’s daughters and his family. Those of us who had the good fortune to have known “Buge” were the better for the experience. While I mourn his passing, I’m grateful for the many good memories.
I first met Hugh Frank in the late ‘60s when I started working at the Memphis Press-Scimitar. He was 30 years my senior and knew more about newspapering than I ever hoped to learn, but he helped me feel at ease and was always patient when I’d have dumb questions about how things worked or didn’t work.
My son Chris took riding lessons at the Horse & Pony Farm. And I still laugh about going with Hugh Frank one Saturday morning to shoot pictures at the Germantown city jail.
One of Hugh Frank’s peacocks was being held in a jail cell after escaping from the farm. That was more than 35 years ago and before his home place in Germantown became an island in the midst of suburban growth.
It wasn’t such a happy occasion, but I also remember when Buge and Rachael were our hosts for the “wake” when the Press-Scimitar died.
Hugh Frank continued to write his folksy commentaries and would send me a copy of a column from time to time when he had written something he was proud of or thought I’d have an interest in.
That was after I relocated to Alabama, where I later had the chance to intercede on Hugh Frank’s behalf when he found himself caught up in a misunderstanding with his alma mater.
Hugh Frank contacted me in a dither and asked for help in correcting a misunderstanding with Dr. Tom Corts, president of Samford University.
Hugh Frank, an alum of Howard College which became Samford University, offered to contribute a prize or medal for an awards program for journalism students at Samford. What he had in mind was spending about a hundred dollars or so for a medal or a cash prize.
Tom, who had been pretty successful in negotiating multi-million dollar bequests from alums and university supporters, mistakenly assumed Hugh Frank was going to become a major contributor to the university and its journalism program. I managed to get them both on the same page and everybody parted friends.
Five years ago, Hugh Frank invited my wife Sherrye and me to join him and others at the Smith Family Reunion at Lake Martin in Alabama. It was a special occasion for Hugh Frank and the Smith family – a celebration of the 85th anniversary of Buge’s birth. There were a large number of people present and it was abundantly clear how important Hugh Frank was to all of those who gathered that day to give him birthday wishes.
I’ll miss the Christmas postcards and the occasional e-mails. In fact, I was always pretty impressed that Hugh Frank was not intimidated by the technology of e-mail and used it to stay in touch. The last e-mail I got from him is dated just a few weeks ago -- Jan. 14. He had welcomed Sherrye and me on our return to Memphis from Alabama. Characteristically, he was optimistic and tried to put us at ease about his recent health issues:
“ ... have had a little heart problem and have been confined for last month...doing better and walking more now...hope to see you later in year when i am fully recovered.”
Buge was one of a kind and those of us who had the honor of knowing him were blessed by the association and fortunate for the opportunity to learn from the example he set. Hugh Frank was genuine and without any pretensions. Farewell, good friend. We commend your soul to God.
Kathy Shindler Davini
March 5, 2006
Mr. Smith is a true role model for anyone that new him or new of him. He was always full of fun and life no matter what was going on. Mr. Smith could find something positive or just positively funny to say. He brought joy and happiness to anyone fortunate enough to be with him. He made everyone around him at ease and welcome. I feel very blessed to have had the Smith's come into my life as a young person. They helped to develop my morals and foundation for which I will be eternally grateful. They made me part of their family and daily routine and watched me to grow into an adult. I knew I always had their loving support where ever I was or whatever I was doing. My memories of Mr. Smith and family are most valuable! Mr. Smith had the best smile and the warmest heart. He gives a smile whenever thinking about him. He will be missed by all. Our love and prayers are with Sunde, Melanie and the girls through this difficult time.
Suzanne (Ainsworth) Heun
March 4, 2006
So sorry to hear of my Uncle Buge's passing. I will always remember the family's summer visits to Grandma and Grandpa's at Sunny Crest, in Fort Dodge. Getting to see my cousins Sunde and Melanie, and the fun we had when he would take all of us to play in Lizard Creek. So nice to have the fond memories! Blessings to you, my cousins.
Alice Newbern Davis
March 4, 2006
90 years! Wow! God must have loved Hugh Frank Smith as much as many of us did to allow him that many years on earth. What a special man he was. Over 50 yrs. ago he and his family moved next door to my family. That began a longtime friendship, mostly bonded by our love for equestrian things. More recently, my first Christmas greeting each year was from the Hugh Frank Smith Horse and Pony farm, always a reminder to me of the fun times we had together, as well as a reminder that it was time for me to start sending our Christmas greetings. Everytime I read his articles in the Memphis paper, I emailed him to thank him for the great memories from the past and he graciously emailed back. I never thought about his age, as he seemed so sharp and clear minded that it seemed he had not aged in all these years. I hope someone will put his wonderful articles in book form. They would make the perfect fireside reading for a cold wintrey day.
To Sunde, Melanie and granddaughters, we will grieve your loss. Treasure the years you had with your Father and Grandfather.
Ray Goetze
March 3, 2006
My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Smith, for his family is to large to address because he is loved by everyone that truly knew him.
'Buge' gave me my 1st job on his farm when I was 11years old, practically gave me my 1st horse, and taught me my 1st love, nature. He believed in me when I was nobody. To this day I day-dream about experiences on the farm, and realize the gift he gave everyone, kindness. His presence will truly be missed, but his memories will remain forever.
Randall Ainsworth
March 3, 2006
I was so very sorry to hear about my uncle "Buge" as we always knew him. I always looked forward to his "homey" articles about his family and their travels, but most of all the ones about life on Sunny Crest Farm in Iowa where his wife Rachael, as well as myself grew up. The last time I saw him was at the BIG 80th birthday party that Sunde and Melanie had for him in the horse arena on his "ranch" in Germantown. God bless Buge.
Bill J Spence
March 3, 2006
It's hard to realize that this GREAT man is gone. Our families have been close friends, especially through equestrian activities, for as long as I can remember. Hugh Frank and I have kept in touch all these years. We exchanged e-mails as often as at least once a month up to a month ago. God help you, Melanie, Sunde and the rest of the family in adjusting to the realization that he is gone. Both he and Rachael will be remembered as outstanding mentors to every one who knew them.
Manci O'Brien Hood
March 3, 2006
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember comming to your home and riding horses. My dad and your dad were great friends.. Tommy O'Brien's daughter Manci.
Barbara Bonds
March 3, 2006
I never met Mr. Smith...but his stories of life on the farm, his beloved Rachel,his daughters and grandchildren made me feel almost like one of the family. He will be greatly missed.
Terry Sweat
March 3, 2006
During the decade of the sixties my family rented a house from Mr. Smith next to his farm. As a young boy I remember his visits many time through out our stay there. He was always kind to us and treated us all with respect. I remember my mom saying what a wonderful person he was and how lucky we were to have found him for our landlord. He was truly a great asset to the community and will be missed by those he leaves behing.
Meg Howard
March 3, 2006
I have had the great privilege to know Hugh Frank Smith for the past 40 years, having worked for Hugh Frank and Rachael helping out around the farm and teaching riding lessons for many years until I moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college, as well as traveling the horse show circuit each summer with Melanie, and spending lots of time with Sunde while we were both living in Los Angeles. I have always considered myself an honorary "Smith" so Hugh Frank was definitely like family to me. No one had a better sense of humor than he, nor was there a kinder,gentler human being, and he took such wonderful care of Rachael, who I also loved dearly. He will be missed by so many. P.S. I love the picture.
Mary Anne Gibson
March 2, 2006
Mr. Hugh Frank holds a special place in our family's heart. He once wrote an article mentioning our son seated on his grandmother's lap as she pretended to cut the lawn at our Poplar Pike property sitting on the biggest riding lawn mower you've ever seen. He wrote about the simple joys of life in a small, family town. He certainly knew the importance of family and friends! Mr. Hugh Frank was a sweet friend to our mother once our Dad passed away. He had more energy than most of us will ever hope to have! What a blessing he was to us all! *Mary Anne (Roberts) Gibson
Margaret Hill
March 2, 2006
Hugh Frank was one of the finest men I have ever known. He was intelligent, principled, honest, loyal, forthright, kind, humorous and down to earth. Over the years, thousands of children were on the farm and learned about horses, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, etc. They also learned nature's course of birth, illness, infirmity, disablilty and death. They were allowed total access from dawn until dusk - and longer if needed - to the property and had a sense of freedom not available to most urban children. What was his was theirs. The parties in the barn and summer house were always fun. I remember him building fires in the summer house on cold days so people could warm up after being in the barn. He was proud of his family in a loving and accepting way, not in a boasting manner.
So many lives are richer because of him. What a great legacy he leaves.
Our condolences to Sunde, Melanie and the girls.
The Hill Family
Kathy Deyo
March 2, 2006
Mr. Smith wasn't about "fancy fixins." He was about substance, wit, intelligence, kindness and warmth. His life and memory instill serenity and joy. I feel SO privileged to have shared his time and attention. His values are genuinely pure - as he was.
My love to Sunde, Melanie, the girls and his "helpers."
Lee McIntyre
March 2, 2006
Deepest Sympathy, and Warmest Regards.
Lee
Jim Burrow
March 2, 2006
Hugh Frank was the BEST !!!
My Family and I loved him dearly
and will miss always.
JAMIE Caton
March 2, 2006
Buge's life was a shining example of devotion and love to his family and friends who loved him. Buge was my neighbor, friend and like another father to me. His great wit, gentle smile,lively spirit, and great times we shared will be forever in my fondest memories and forever missed. love, Jamie Caton
Gina Lucchesi
March 2, 2006
My sympathy and prayers are with the family and friends of Hugh Frank Smith during this time of their loss.
Sterling Ainsworth
March 2, 2006
To my favorite (and last) uncle ... BUGE. I have many fond memories of him while we were both living on farms outside Fort Dodge, Iowa. You will be missed. Sterling/Gene
Jack Kennington
March 2, 2006
I concur with my relative Rush Smith, Uncle Buge was also my favorite uncle. He and my late grandmother Nan were so close through the years that it allowed me to spend a lot of time with him and family at the Farm in Munford, Al and in Germantown. We also had many good times together at Alabama football games at least the ones we won which in the Bryant era were most of them. He was able to tell me things about my grandmaother that I would have never known otherwise. He had a great way with words as we all know from the down home feel he gave the articles that he penned for years in the local papers. He was a devoted husband to his wife Rachel who died some time ago from an extended illness. He loved his daughters Sunde and Melanie and was a hero to his grandchildren. He will be missed by all of us in the family and many friends from around the country. I would say He was Mr. Germantown for many many years. One last time Uncle Buge I say this in your memory a great Big Roll Tide Roll!
Love,
Your Nephew
Susan Adler Thorp
March 2, 2006
When I was a young reporter at the old Memphis Press-Scimitar, Hugh Frank was a seasoned veteran of the newsroom. He taught me that persistance, patience, and a good sense of humor would get one through any tough news day. As a journalist, he was a pro. As a man, he ranked among the best.
Anne Graham Hixson
March 2, 2006
Being a neighbor of Mr. Smith has been a wonderful experience. I have the joy to look out of my front window looking at his live stock. I live on Poplar Pike in the blue siding home in front of his farm. Some mornings I would look out and see Mr. Smith walking and observing his farm. I will miss his smiling face and also have friendly he was to his fellow neighbors.
rush smith
March 2, 2006
My favorite uncle - a sad day but he had a great run. One of the few people I've ever known (related or unrelated) that I have never heard an unkind wod spoken about - that speaks volumnes about Hugh Frank - we all love you Buge and a big Roll Tide.
Rush Smith- Anniston, Al
Dave Sanford
March 2, 2006
I was a former neighbor of Mr. Smith. My oldest son, Mike, would walk across the street to visit after school ocassionally. We lived on Honey Tree. I had a lot of respect for Mr. Smith and how he alway chose principles over money. Germantown has truly lost one its most valuable citizens.
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