Fred Harden Smith

Fred Harden Smith, Jr., 97, of Charleston, South Carolina, widower of Ruth Henderson Hood Smith passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 17, 2019 in The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden at 1:30 p.m. Interment, Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at Bishop Gadsden. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

Fred was born September 16, 1921 in Statesboro, Georgia, son of the late Fred Harden Smith and Lucile Parrish Smith. He attended Statesboro High School and graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he earned a BA in Journalism. Fred served in the U.S. Navy as an officer on minesweeper vessels in the Atlantic and Pacific. He had a career in graphic arts, supervising production artists for a large jewelry retailer and producing weekly newspaper and color insert advertisements. Fred was also an advertising and promotion director of a major Houston, TX shopping center. Upon his return to Charleston, he became a retail advertising representative for The Post and Courier newspaper.

Fred was a past member of the Charleston Lions Club, Jaycees, and the Carolina Yacht Club. He also served two terms as Commander of the Charleston Power Squadron. He was a member of St. Philip's Church. After retiring in 1989, Fred took up woodworking and furniture making and began oil painting in 2000. His children and grandchildren proudly display his handcrafted furniture and artwork.

Fred is survived by his son, Richard Austin Smith (June) and three step-sons: James Albert Hood Jr., Robert Holmes Hood (Bernie), and Richard Scott Hood (Nancy), all of Charleston, SC; 13 grandchildren: Andrea Fraiser, Leslie Smith, Llewellyn Sinkler, Dana Sinkler, Marshall Sinkler, Huger Sinkler, Nona Ruth Hood, Molly Craig, Elizabeth Willis, Bobby Hood, Jamie Hood, Nancy Egleston, and Jennie Emerson; and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Ruth; step-daughter, Llewellyn Hood Kassebaum and her husband, John Philip Kassebaum.

Memorials may be made to St. Philip's Church, 142 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or the Bishop Gadsden Employee Assistance Fund, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412.