Parkway Funeral Home
Dr. Sydney Smith passed away on Friday, April 26th. He was born August 4th, 1941, in Jackson, Mississippi, to Frances Eager Witty Smith and Sydney Allen Smith, Jr., an estate/tax attorney in Jackson. He grew up in Jackson and excelled as state tennis champion while at Murrah High School and college. He was a Carrier Scholar at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and was in ROTC. He graduated first in his class from college; and for two years was the President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. After college, he served in the Army before completing medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. His residency was in Lexington, Kentucky. He specialized in neurology, and practiced in Ft. Collins, Colorado, then moved to Gulfport, Mississippi where he practiced medicine until he retired in 2011. Dr. Smith was also certified in sleep medicine, and served as the Medical Director of Memorial Hospital Sleep Lab.
Throughout his life, Sydney followed many passions: singing in choirs, and with family, singing and acting in musicals, was immersed in operas, captivated by John Denver and the Kingston Trio, and playing the guitar. He authored a book, Tap Root, and several songs. He and his two sisters enjoyed singing folk songs together for many years. He was an avid fly fisherman, and was a Master Caster, tied his own flies and made magnificent bamboo fly rods. He also loved to hunt, and enjoyed a duck club with dear friends. Sydney was an avid animal lover, owning dogs, cats, and parrots throughout his life!
He was a dedicated father to his son, Zachary, a graduate of the University of Mississippi & its law school, and did post-graduate education in insurance law. Zachary and wife, Jordan, live in Portland, Oregon. Sydney's son was his life's priority, evident in the wise and thoughtful person Zach became.
Sydney was multi-talented, living his entire life seeking perfection with intense dedication in every area. He kept physically fit, ran in marathons, and was an avid cyclist. He was greatly loved as a wonderful father, brother, friend, and son. Sydney's life made the world a better place. He held deep spiritual beliefs. He was known as a fantastic story teller, mischievous prankster and jokester.
He is survived by his son John Zachary Smith and his wife, Jordan Rimes Smith; his two sisters: Dorothy Trotter Witty Smith of Gulfport, MS, Susannah Holman Anderson Smith of Ridgway, CO., niece, Susannah Frances Smith Doherty, and nephews, Nathan Walter Andrews, Erik Sydney Andrews, and Christopher Pemberton Andrews. He is also survived by his first cousins Frances McLean Coleman (husband Tom), of Jackson, Mississippi, and Robert Beatty McLean, Jr. (wife, Helaine), and their children. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to the National Parks Foundation: https://www.nationalparks.org/
May the road rise up to meet you.; May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
LINKS
Clarion-Ledger
http://www.clarionledger.com
Biloxi Sun Herald
http://www.sunherald.com
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