LeRoy Fairchild "Roy" Smith

1951 - 2024

LeRoy "Roy" Fairchild Smith

February 12, 1951 - September 24, 2024

Columbia, South Carolina - LeRoy "Roy" Fairchild Smith, 73, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

In 1951, Roy was born to Alfred and Katharine Smith. Growing up in the Wales Garden neighborhood of Columbia, he was educated in the public school system. This prepared him to study sociology and earn degrees from Wofford College (BA), USC (MA) and State University of New York – Buffalo (PhD). He continued study with postdoctoral fellowships at Stanford University and Dartmouth College.

Married in 1973 to Rebecca Stone, they had the opportunity to travel the country as they moved form one academic destination to the next. During their fifty year marriage, they enjoyed visiting forty-nine U.S. states, Canada, England and Italy. Many dear friends were made along the way, ones that would last a lifetime.

Since returning to Columbia in 1984, Roy, along with his brother Al, continued the legacy of operating the family tree farm, located in Lexington. Now a century farm, it is an established measure of conservation and beauty.

In 1986, Roy began his professional journey with S.C. Health and Human Services in the Department of Community Long Term Care (CLTC). He enjoyed the team model to ensure quality health care services to aged, blind and disabled S.C. citizens, wishing to remain at home. His tenure culminated as State Director of CLTC. Since his retirement in 2017, Roy and Rebecca have enjoyed the peace of the farm and its many gifts.

When thinking of Roy, think of him walking with Rebecca and their golden retrievers through the forests of pine that he helped to plant. Think of his favorite summer vegetable, sweet corn, that was grown for forty seasons of gardens. Remember the sunflowers he cultivated up the hill, that adorned many desks at Community Long Term Care.

It was golden…all golden.

Roy is survived by his wife, Rebecca, brothers-in-law, John Stone (Laura), Bill Stone (Jana); sister-in-law, Alison (Al) and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

He was predeceased by parents, Alfred and Katharine Smith, parents-in-law, Jack and Grace Stone, brother, Al, sister- in-law, Carol Gage and brother-in-law, Richmond Gage.

A celebration of Roy's life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy's honor can be made to: SCDHHS, CLTC Client Fund, Attn: Odell Sumter, 7th Floor, PO Box 8206, Columbia, SC 29202.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.