Donald Dwight Smith Sr

Donald Dwight Smith, Sr., a respected and beloved member of the Marietta community, passed away at the age of 94 on September 6, 2024, after an extended battle with Multiple Myeloma. He died peacefully at Wellstar Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain. Don was born on September 12, 1929, at the family home on McDonald Street, the ninth of ten children. Though he grew up with limited resources, Don grew to be an active student at Marietta High School. He learned to play tennis at Lewis Park and played basketball and baseball on the MHS teams. He was named Most Athletic, though he would tell you that Red Chilton really deserved that honor. After high school, Don went to work in Atlanta as an office boy for the Seaboard Airline Railroad Company. After his boss encouraged him to study law, Don taught himself how to type and took night classes in shorthand so that he could get a better job and save money for law school. The subsequent promotion led him to Norfolk, Virginia, where he accompanied the Chief Legal Counsel of Seaboard on trips by train to Macon, GA, and Miami, FL, working as a stenographer. At the age of 21, Don and his good friend Herb McNair enlisted in the Air Force before being drafted for the Korean War. They hoped that enlisting together would mean that they would be stationed together. However, Don’s typing and shorthand skills led him to administrative positions so he and Herb would not meet again until after the war. Stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, Don was promoted six times within two years and was ultimately assigned to the Provost Marshal Division, which published law- enforcement regulations to be enforced by the Air Police. Don also played tennis for the Air Force team during this time. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1955, Don returned to Marietta. He began courting Carol McNair, the younger sister of his friend Herb, and taking classes at Georgia State University to fulfill his pre-law requirements. He then started law school at the University of Georgia, marrying Carol during his first year. He completed a three year course of study in two years, thanks in part to his typing and shorthand skills. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Don’s law career took him and his young family to Norfolk, VA, August, GA, and back to Atlanta. After the unexpected death of his sister-in-law, Don was moved to think about what he wanted in life. He wanted to have his own law practice in Marietta, the town he loved so much. Don first went into practice in Marietta with Larry Custer in the mid-1960s. In 1980 Don, Gary Eubanks, and Hansell “Hap” Smith opened Smith Eubanks and Smith which was the boutique law firm Don had envisioned. These men forged a strong friendship that endured over the years. That law firm still exists under the name of Smith Tumlin McCurley & Patrick. During his 50 year career as an attorney, Don served as the president of the Cobb Bar Association and was an early recipient of the Bobby Cleveland Professionalism Award. Don retired from full-time practice of law in 2008 to take care of Carol as her health declined due to Alzheimer’s disease and to focus on his own health as he began his journey with Multiple Myeloma. He cared for Carol at home until the time of her death in 2015. Four years after becoming a widower, Don met Margareta Sandberg. They were married in a private wedding at the chapel of First Baptist Church, officiated by Hap Smith. They enjoyed taking dance classes, playing bridge, attending the opera, and spending time with family. Margaret brightened Don’s final years and took excellent care of him as he battled cancer. She worked tirelessly to ensure that Don remained as comfortable as possible in his final days. Don is preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Carol McNair Smith. He is survived by his wife, Margareta Sandberg Smith. He is also survived by his four children, Lauren Sinclair (John), Dwight Smith, Leslie Hightower (Clay), and Lynne McLaughlin (John), grandchildren Johnny Sinclair (Mark Browne), David Sinclair (Erin), Sam Sinclair (Suzee), Caroline Hightower (Peyton), Carter Hightower, Devin McLaughlin (Holly), Amy Beck (Heath), Fiona McLaughlin, Riley McLaughlin, and great- grandchildren Henry Sinclair, Kate Sinclair, Nora Beck and Josie Beck. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Marietta First United Methodist Church or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Donald Dwight Smith Sr

September 12, 1929 - September 6, 2024