Dr. Cynthia Smith Jones

Dr. Cynthia Marie Smith Jones was born in Sumter, SC, on February 16, 1962. She transitioned from this life on October 26, 2025, at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC.
She was reared in Sumter in a love-filled home by her loving and doting parents, TSgt. John L. Smith Sr. and Mrs. Edith Monroe Smith. She attended public schools in Sumter and graduated from Sumter High School in 1980. Known for her infectious smile and cheerful spirit, she was a very proud cheerleader for the Sumter High School Gamecocks.
She earned both a B.S. degree in psychology and an M.A. in rehabilitation counseling from SC State University. For a combined 30-plus years, she was employed with the SC Department of Social Services and the SC Department of Mental Health, which is now the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Working primarily as a child therapist and school-based counselor, she was adored for her effective and genuine helping spirit by her student-clients, parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators. Her supervisors and peers admired her ability to foster a sense of calm even in emotionally-charged situations.
While in graduate school, she served as the assistant coach of the SC State University cheerleaders. She helped coach conference championship-winning cheer teams that also gained national recognition. Coach "Cynt" really knew how to get the cheer team excited about getting SC State fans to "get up for the Bulldogs!"
A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she wore adoringly attractive pink and green outfits on various occasions and would often "Skee-wee" her sisters at a distance. However, she respected women of all sororities, particularly those associated with the Divine Nine.
A devoted member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, she would always rally to the church's calls as needed. She had much admiration and respect for the pastor, Rev. Dr. James Blassingame, as well as First Lady Dr. Shirley M. Blassingame. She also had high regard for the Deacons and Deaconesses, the choirs, the ushers, etc, all who made Mount Zion such a special place to worship.
Certainly, she was filled with God's holy spirit and was committed to spreading His word in her own way. In fact, she earned a doctorate in Christian counseling from the Carolina Theological Bible Institute, but did not universally claim that she was "trained in the ministry." However, she was God's servant to all who knew her well.
Dr. Smith leaves to cherish memories of her beautiful and loving spirit: Dr. Carl E. Jones, her devoted and loving husband of over 24 years; Carl Edison Jones II, better known as "CJ," her son and the absolute charm of her life; Alysee C. Jones, her step-daughter and cheer partner of the USC Gamecocks; Cooper Jones-Brown, her step-grandson and budding star athlete; John (Doris) Smith, her highly respected
big brother; Lorraine Smith, her long-adored big sister; Tyrone (Mary) Smith, her twin-like and very supportive younger brother; Lakita Smith, her ever-admiring and always there little sister; her very caring and much appreciated nephews Antwan Smith, Chris (Lyntavia) Smith, Tyrone Smith, Jr., and Joshua (Atiera) Smith; SSG (Ret). Donald Jones, her brother-in-law and phone pal; Mrs. Louise D. Matthews, her special auntie/cousin; as well as a host of other well-thought-of relatives, colleagues, and friends. Of course, special friends who communicated and bonded with her regularly include Dorothy Mae Gadson, Lorraine Dennis, Greta Cooper, Terrie Coulter, and Gino Culbreath.
Cynthia is now leading cheers in heaven - " Glory Hallelujah!"
Donations can be made to Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church Youth Ministry as well as the American Cancer Society/ Breast Cancer Awareness on behalf of Dr. Cynthia Marie Smith Jones.