Sidney Smith Wait

She was born December 19, 1934, in Beaufort, S.C., to William Sidney Smith and Mary Pringle Eve Smith.

Sidney was a friend and mentor to many whose paths crossed with hers. She was such a unique wonderful soul who lived her life in the village she created. Her kindness, artistic abilities, and ability to “fix” just about anything has been known by so many wonderful people that she cherished dearly. A lifelong devoted Episcopalian, she was a Lay Reader at Christ Episcopal Church in Denmark, S.C. Sidney traveled widely in the United States and Eastern Europe. She enjoyed painting South Carolina landscapes and seashores, renovating homes, which included building and handywoman work. Alongside her lifetime friend, Caroline Whitmire Todd, she wrote and published a guidebook “South Carolina One Day at a Time.” Sidney was a member of Mensa.

She attended the University of South Carolina where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi and completed her education obtaining a master’s degree at South Carolina State University with postgraduate studies at Cornell University.

Sidney served in various capacities during her career in education as an art instructor for private schools in South Carolina, speech clinician and the director of Special Educational Services in Denmark, S.C., serving children as the interagency liaison for Continuum of Care in Columbia, S.C. She was the chairperson of the Bamberg County Adult Development Center, Primary Prevention Convocation for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, member of the Foster Care Association, on the Task Force on Commitment Laws for Mental Retardation, Board of Directors for the Council of Child Abuse and Neglect, member of the Ad Hoc Committee for Children, S.C. Head and Spinal Cord Injury Task Force, S.C. Christian Action Council - Committee on Children Youth and Families, Educational Therapy Center Interagency Advisory Council, S.C. Child Protective Advisory Committee, Columbia Commission on Children and Youth, Board of Directors of the Trinity Housing Corporation, Board of Directors for the Richland County Department of Social Services Most recently she served on the following Board of Directors: Palmetto Place of Columbia and St. Lawrence Place.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Ancrum Smith. Survivors include her three children, Gregory Pierre Wait, William Michael Wait and Charlene “Charlie” Elizabeth Wait Caldwell (Christopher Alan Caldwell); three grandchildren, Tyler Jean Caldwell (Christopher Neiderberger), Christopher Glenn Caldwell (Caden Caldwell), and Johnathan Glenn Caldwell; three siblings, Molly Montes, Sara Phoebe Smith Graham, William Southwood Smith; nieces and nephews, Eve Balding, Matthew Balding, Rigel Graham, John Sigler, Thomas Graham Jr., Will Smith, Allen Smith, Sheldon Smith, Coley Smith, Ruth Alig; special cousin, Jana Bridgman; two dear friends, Carmel Chery and Antoine “Skippy” Slater.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to “The Friendship” or Richland County Animal Shelter, in Columbia, S.C.

All are invited to attend a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 26, 2021, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2827 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC 29205 or join us in viewing a livestream by going to www.stjohnscolumbia.org. A gathering of family and friends will immediately follow the service at the church. For those who choose to attend, thank you for your extra vigilance and thinking of others when practicing safety protocols.

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