Dr. W. Lindsay Smith III
Greenville
Dr. W. Lindsay Smith, III, 96, of Greenville, S.C., son of the late W. Lindsay Smith, Jr. and the late Margaret R. Smith, died on Tuesday, October 2, 2012.
Dr. Smith was a native of Greenville and earned his BA from Furman University. He later earned his Master's and Doctor of Sacred Music degrees from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Dr. Smith served as Professor of Music and organist at Furman University for a period of 38 years. During his tenure at Furman, he served an extended term as Chairman of the Music Department and one term as Chairman of the University faculty. He was a member of First Baptist Church - Greenville.
Concurrently with his tenure at Furman, Dr. Smith also held church music positions in Greenville, first for 18 years at Christ Episcopal Church and later for 25 years at Trinity Lutheran Church. A Fellow of the American Guild of Organists, he was an initial organizer of the Greenville chapter and later became South Carolina chairman.
Over the years, Dr. Smith gave frequent organ recitals, both locally and nationally. He assisted many churches in the Greenville area in their selection and acquisitions of their current pipe organs. Many of his organ students at Furman have gone on to obtain and hold positions as organists at prominent churches across the nation.
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte R. Smith, by son W. Lindsay Smith IV and his wife Julie Smith of Greenville, by daughter Elizabeth Reed Smith and her husband Harlan Smith of Huntington, West Virginia, by a sister, Elizabeth S. Alford of Charlottesville, VA, and by grandsons Alan Smith of Denver, CO and Ellison Smith of Greenville.
Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at First Baptist Church - Greenville, 847 Cleveland Street, with Dr. Baxter Wynn presiding. Visitation will precede the service in the narthex of the sanctuary beginning at 1:00.
A private burial will take place in Springwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Guild of Organists, 10 North Church Street, Greenville, SC 29601, or to the Department of Music, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613.
The Mackey Mortuary. Online registry available at www.mackeymortuary.com
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My condolences and deepest sympathy for your loss, Reed. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family as you grieve, but know that your father hasn't left, he's merely changed his address and there's a new musician accompanying the angelic choir.
Karen Griebling
October 23, 2012
My deepest sympathy to you. Losing a father is a heartbreaking thing, no matter how old. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
With Love - Norma Martin
October 16, 2012
I had Dr. Smith for music appreciation in 1970. I enjoyed every minute. I always enjoyed hearing him play the organ for convocation and chapel.
You have my deepest sympathy.
Day Lowery
October 5, 2012
Lindsay,
Sorry you lost your dad. He led a long and remarkably productive life.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Best,
Doug
Doug Williams
October 5, 2012
Dr. and Mrs. Smith were my wonderful freshman (at the Zoo!) and sophomore (at the "new" campus) theory professors. We always enjoyed seeing them at the Met Operas at the Hollywood movie theater. When I told Dr. Smith I still had my freshman theory notes, he said, "They must be museum pieces by now!" He will truly be missed! My deepest condolences.
Judy Clardy Franzen
October 5, 2012
I have such wonderful memories of my time at Furman and organ lessons with Dr. Smith and theory classes with Mrs. Smith. My deepest sympathy and prayers for you all. Blessings and thanksgiving for both.
Rev. Billie Lawson
October 4, 2012
I first met Lindsay during the Christmas holidays of 1981. His daughter Reed and I were an item at the time, and we've been an item ever since (we'll celebrate our 30th anniversary next June). I still remember watching Clemson play for the national championship that New Year's Day, with Dad, in Greenville. We weren't football fanatics, but it was Clemson! Dad was truly a kind, gentle man. A man of firm principles, but gentle in spirit. It was a privilege and an honor to have known him.
Harlan Smith
October 4, 2012
Lindsay Smith was a tremendous influence on my musical career as an organist, church musician, theorist, and as a teacher. His gentle guidance and positive support are treasured memories to me. After my graduation from Furman in 1957 I continued to maintain contact with him and his wife (an equal influence on my musical career) and when I returned to the area after very successful years in Chicago and Interlochen, MI it was a delight to reconnect with them personally. Lindsay touched thousands of lives in a very positive was and his memory will live in the lives of us, his disciples.
Beverly Ward
October 4, 2012
Lindsay Smith was a tremendous influence on my life. He was my mentor and friend through my 4 years at Furman and continued to be a supporter and an inspiration to me for many years thereafter. It was a great pleasure to reconnect with him and with Charlotte when I returned to the western Carolinas after being away, making my mark in the musical world and discovering the wonders of life. He was very special to me and I will always treasure beloved memories of his gentle guidance and encouragement.
Beverly Ward
October 4, 2012
Everytime I listen to or sing the Bach St. Matthew Passion I think of Dr. Smith. I recall his reference to this work in a music history class and how he hoped no one would get through Furman without at least some familiarity with this masterpiece. Thanks to you, Dr. Smith and your wife Charlotte, I love this work and so many other musical masterpieces as well.
Katherine Hughes, Charlotte, NC, BMus, 1971
October 4, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Smith family. Dr. Smith had a gift for teaching and was a gentle, dear man. I had him for freshman theory and Mrs. Smith for sophomore theory. They were wonderful.
Stephanie Stanhope Purvis
October 3, 2012
Dr. Smith was one of my very first musical mentors, and he always saw potential in me that even I failed to recognize. My graduate school organ professor always commended me for the "clean technique" and knowledge of organ literature that I had, and these were direct results of studying organ with Dr. Smith at Furman University. I am eternally grateful to him for his influence in my life and career.
David Ouzts
October 3, 2012
Thankyou Dr.Smith for sharing your gifts at Trinity. I admired you as a kind,warm, patient man as well as your talents. It was a joy to know you and Charlotte. I can hear the "Angel Choir" with their new organist making a joyful sound! Love, Cookie Nelson Howard
October 3, 2012
Lindsay and family: So sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Smith. I hope you find comfort in your faith in God during this time. May God give you all the strength to weather his passing.
Gary Gilliam
October 3, 2012
Dr. Smith was such a kind, talented, gifted man. I learned so much from him as an organ major at Furman in the 70's. I still have all the wonderful suggested fingerings in my music, and I learned how very important it was to take the time to do that. He left a great legacy for all of us church musicians.
My prayers are with you, Mrs. Smith, and all your family. You two were quite a team at Furman.
Margaret Hicks MacKay
Margaret MacKay
October 3, 2012
Dr. Smith was a master teacher and fine performer. I have many fond memories of him from my four years of study at Furman. May his soul, and the souls of all faithful departed, rest in peace.
My deepest sympathy to Charlotte and family.
Mary Jane (McCoy) Shipp, BA 1961
M. Jane Shipp
October 3, 2012
Lindsay was kind, gracious, and caring; he leaves a rich heritage. He always had an encouraging word and will be greatly missed.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord...that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13)
Ed Dunbar, BJU
Ed Dunbar
October 3, 2012
Dr Smith was a master teacher who along with his wife Charlotte Smith, had a tremendous impact on my life.
Steve Grant
October 3, 2012
Charlotte and family. My sympathy to you in losing our beloved Dr. Smith..He meant so much to me. His care and teaching in my freshman year at Furman helped me pursue a very satisfying career in music.
Marilyn Waldhour Brown
October 3, 2012
I feel a loss.
Richard Williamson
October 3, 2012
I was saddened to learn of Dr. Smith's death. As a Furman alumnus, I always appreciated his patience and gentleness. He has easily influenced thousands of musicians during his many years of teaching and church musicianship. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.
Cathy Ferguson Ardrey
October 3, 2012
Dr. Smith was my college advisor at Furman, and I studied music theory with his wife, Charlotte. Two of my favorite professors at Furman. Class of '68
Andrea (Noni Wells) Miller
October 3, 2012
Dr. Smith was a kind and thoughtful person and a wonderful organist and Professor.
Kelly Piepho
October 2, 2012
Rest in peace, Dr. Smith, my freshman music theory teacher. He made theory (harmonization, cadences, intervals, sight-singing, etc) easy to understand. He (along with is wife) inspired many.
Graham Warr
October 2, 2012
Very sorry to hear about this. I have very fond memories of my time at Furman and the Smiths were a very important part of my time there. Their dedication to providing a music education at the highest level served me very well later in graduate school, was greatly appreciated, and has never been forgotten since I graduated from Furman in 1973.
David Harris
October 2, 2012
So sorry to hear of Dr. Smith's passing. Sincere condolences to the family. I greatly enjoyed his years as organist at Trinity Lutheran.
Mary Ries
October 2, 2012
Sorry to hear of Dr Smith's passing. I was a Music Theory student of his (and his wife) - finished in 1958.
Frank McCravy
Frank McCravy
October 2, 2012
Dr. Smith, and his wife Charlotte, were two of the most influential musician- educators in the lives of many Furman graduates, myself included. I consider myself fortunate to have been influenced and educated by this wonderful couple.
Frank Watson
Furman '71
Frank Watson
October 2, 2012
Fond memories of Dr. Smith as the acting Chair of the music department at Furman when I started. He was also my first professor in a summer session of music history in his office! RIP, Dr. Smith and prayers to Mrs. Smith and family.
Allen Barbee
October 2, 2012
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