News Summary
Pat G. Smith, who served as Springdale’s mayor for nearly 30 years, has passed away at 74. His extensive contributions to the community included leadership roles at the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School and various state boards. Smith’s commitment to public service has left a lasting impact on Springdale and its residents.
Springdale – Pat G. Smith, the former mayor of Springdale, passed away on July 15 at the age of 74. Smith, who served for nearly 30 years, holds the record as the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history and is recognized as the second-longest-serving mayor in Lexington County’s history.
During his extensive tenure as mayor, Smith made significant contributions that extended beyond municipal leadership. He dedicated nearly 50 years of his career to the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, an institution focused on providing educational resources to at-risk youth. Smith held the position of director at the school from 1998 until June 30, 2025.
In addition to his role at the school, Smith was actively involved on various state boards and commissions, reflecting his commitment to public service. These included the South Carolina Municipal Association, where he held multiple terms, and the Lexington County Municipal Association, where he also served several terms as President. Furthermore, Smith contributed to the Central Midlands Regional Council of Governments, the Central Regional Transit Authority, the South Carolina Association of Regional Councils, and the Joint Water and Sewer Commission. His expertise and dedication led to his appointment to the South Carolina Workforce Development Board by Governor Nikki Haley. Additionally, he served as vice-chair of the Richland-Lexington Airport District Commission, appointed by the Lexington County Legislative Delegation.
Born in 1951 in Cairo, Georgia, Smith moved to Springdale in 1955, where he dedicated much of his life to community service. Following his graduation from Airport High School in 1969, he pursued further education at Newberry College and later earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Carolina in 2001, graduating with honors.
A service to honor Pat G. Smith will be held on July 19 at 11 a.m. at Springdale Baptist Church, located at 357 Wattling Road in Springdale. Prior to the service, there will be visitation at 10 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall. Tommy McGill, a longtime friend of Smith, will officiate the service. Following the ceremony, Smith will be interred at Southland Memorial Gardens in West Columbia, located at 820 W. Dunbar Road. The Caughman-Harman Funeral Home is managing the funeral arrangements.
Smith’s passing marks the end of a notable chapter in Springdale’s history, reflecting his lifelong commitment to both public service and educational initiatives aimed at helping the youth in the community. His contributions to the city and beyond will be remembered by many.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Springdale Mayor Pat Smith Death
- The State: Longtime Springdale Mayor Passes
- WISTV: Former Longtime Springdale Mayor Dies
- Cola Daily: Longtime Springdale Mayor Passes Away
- Dignity Memorial: Obituary for Pat Smith
- Wikipedia: Pat Smith
- Google Search: Pat Smith Springdale
- Google News: Pat Smith Springdale
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pat Smith
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