Garriet Wade Smith

Dr. Garriet Wade Smith passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025, 7:37am, at 77 years old. He was at his home resting comfortably in Aiken, SC, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Smith was born on September 8, 1948, in Rock Hill, SC, to Robert Wade Smith and Nadeen McCarter. As a teenager, he played guitar professionally and joined a psychedelic Beach music band called The Counts, who released a hit single and shared the stage with notable acts such as James Brown. He then enlisted in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Afterwards he was stationed in Tripoli, Libya, where he met his future wife, Brigitte Maillot.

He was married to Brigitte in Venice, Italy in 1970, and then stationed at Flugplatz Hahn, U.S. Air Force Base, in Germany, where the couple gave birth to their son in 1971. After his military service, Garriet and Brigitte moved to Rock Hill, SC, where their first daughter was born in 1973, and then to Clemson University where Garriet earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology. He then promptly accepted a professorship at University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA). In 1986, his second daughter was born.

While at USCA, Dr. Smith was a very prolific researcher, a popular teacher, and published well over 100 peer-reviewed articles. He achieved relative fame for his role in determining the source of pathogens infecting coral in the Caribbean using innovative genetic techniques for the time. He also invented and patented an approach to producing bio-generated Hydrogen fuel for engines and bacteria for processing nuclear waste.

He made many more contributions to science as well. He appeared on the PBS show Scientific American Frontiers hosted by Alan Alda. In 2012, Dr. Smith achieved the award of top scientist in the state of SC from Governor Nicki Haley, a crowning achievement for a very successful scientific career. He was invited as the keynote speaker to conferences around the world. He finally retired from USCA in 2018.

Garriet was passionate about his work and his family. He was fearless and successful in his profession and was a huge inspiration for many people. He was the world’s top authority on coral reef microbial pathogens during his time. He could have lived and worked anywhere, but he chose Aiken as his home in 1983 and stayed until his death in 2025. Dr. Smith loved music, particularly Bossa Nova, Salsa, R&B, Beach music, and Jazz. He also loved his dog, Bella.

Garriet is survived by his wife, Brigitte Smith (née Maillot), and his three children: François, Nathalie, and Marie-Ange. Inspired by their father, they all went on to pursue scientific degrees and careers. He was also survived by four grandchildren: Iman Smith, Safiya Smith, June Sharpe, and Henry Wade Sharpe. He is also survived by his sister Cindy Day of rock Hill and an Aunt Margaret McCarter, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a memorial mass for Garriet at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church (203 Park Ave. SE, Aiken, SC 29801) on November 25, 2025 at 11:00am EST. Father Ghattas will preside. A reception will immediately follow nearby at Newberry Hall (117 Newberry St. SW, Aiken, SC 29801).

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests for donations to be made to the Gerace Research Center in San Salvador, Bahamas (contact: https://www.facebook.com/donald.gerace.1), a place very much beloved by Dr. Smith and his family.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC