Sanford Newton Smith

Spartanburg, SC- Sanford Newton Smith, 87, husband of Shirley Pettit Smith, died Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Born November 16, 1933, in Spartanburg, SC, Sanford was a son of the late M. B. Smith, Jr. and Maude Lillian Hood Smith. He graduated from Clemson A&M College in 1955 where he was selected to the elite Clemson College Senior Platoon and later served as chairman of the Clemson Senior Platoon Alumni Organization for many years. Due to his value on education, he and Shirley established the Sanford N. and Shirly P. Smith Endowed Scholarship within the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University. Post-graduation, he honorably served his country in the US Army. Professionally, he worked as a mechanical engineer and retired from Phillips Fibers Corporation after 29 years. Personally, Sanford devoted his life to God and his family. His love for God and his call to follow Him led him and Shirley on mission into local communities and throughout the world. He was a member of the SC Disaster Relief team and traveled to devasted areas anytime he was called. He was a member of The Gideons International for 44 years. As a lifetime member of Cedar Spring Baptist Church, he selflessly served as a trustee, Deacon, and Sunday School teacher. In addition to his wife, Shirley, Sanford is survived by daughters, Dr. Sheri Smith Webster (Chuck), Vicki Smith Herring (Derek) and Lori K. Smith; grandchildren, Carrie Turner (Monty), Daniel Webster, Eli Webster, Erik Pitts (Kelly), Hilary Trammell (Andrew), Jake Herring (Olivia) and Hannah Herring; five great-grandchildren and many beloved family members. He was predeceased by his brothers M.B. Smith III (Betty Jean) and Clary H. Smith (Betty Ruth). The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 16th, 2:00-2:45PM at Cedar Spring Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 3:00PM officiated by Reverend Todd Lowe. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In remembrance of Sanford, memorials may be made to Cedar Spring Baptist Church, 140 Cedar Spring Place, Spartanburg, SC 29302, The Gideons International, P O Box 3403, Spartanburg, SC 29304, and Harvest Seekers International P O Box 1975 Cleveland TX 77327.