Edward Augustus Smith III

Edward Augustus Smith III, of Richmond, VA, died on July 25, 2023. He was 83 years old. Eddie was born on December 18, 1940, in Richmond, VA, to Edward Augustus Smith, Jr. and Mary Thomas Abrams Smith. He grew up in Ashland, VA, where he survived childhood polio and graduated from Henry Clay High School. Eddie went on to attend the University of Virginia (UVA), graduating with a degree in architecture in 1964. He also studied art at École des Beaux-Arts in Fontainebleau, France, outside of Paris. Eddie married Jean Webb Midyette on April 18, 1969, in Ashland. The couple had 2 children. They were members of Reveille United Methodist Church. After graduation from UVA, Eddie worked as a designer at E. Tucker Carlton Architects in Richmond. In 1967, he moved to London, England, where he worked as a designer at Howard V. Cobb Architects. He went on to a career as a prominent and well-regarded Richmond architect, serving as a principal in the firms of Marcellus, Wright, Cox, & Smith and Smith + McClane Architects. During his career, he designed buildings, homes, and renovations for many individuals and institutions in Virginia and beyond, including the Jefferson Hotel, the University of Richmond, the Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Washington & Lee University, among many others. A member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), in 1998, he received an Award for Distinguished Achievement from AIA Virginia. Eddie served for many years on the Board of the New Community School in Richmond. Always interested in nurturing the next generation, he was a valued mentor to many young architects, passing along his rich knowledge of history and design. A painter since childhood, Eddie was also an accomplished watercolorist, capturing landscapes, wildlife, pastoral, and sporting scenes. He exhibited his work for many years at Arts in the Park. In addition to his artistic talent, Eddie was known for his sly intellect and sharp wit, ever ready with a joke or a playful anecdote about Richmond’s many storied characters. He always had a pen or pencil in hand and could be found sketching on any available surface, including many restaurant napkins. He was an avid baseball and hockey fan, and he and Webb served for many years on the Richmond Renegades booster club. Eddie is survived by his wife, Webb; son, Edward Augustus (Ted) Smith IV (Carolina Lugo); daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Midyette Smith (David Chamblin); grandchildren, Edward Augustus (Quin) Smith V and Esther Lucy Smith; niece, Angela Helen Merola; and nephew, Joseph Edward Merola. He is preceded in death by his sister, Mary Caroll Smith Merola and his parents. A memorial service will be held August 26, 2023, at 10am at St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Ashland, with a private graveside service to follow at Woodland Cemetery in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Deltaville Maritime Museum (https://www.deltavillemuseum.com/donate). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenAshland.com for the Smith family.