Sidney Oslin Smith, Jr

Judge Sidney Olsin Smith Jr., age 88 of Gainesville, Ga, died Saturday July 14, 2012. Judge Smith was a life long resident of Gainesville, Ga born on December 30, 1923 to the late Sidney O. Smith and Isabelle Charters Smith.

He was educated in Gainesville City schools, The Middlesex School, Concord Mass, Harvard University, and the University of Georgia Law School where he was named to Phi Beta Kappa. He served 39 Months during World War II in the U.S.Army, where he was discharged as a Captain.

Following admission to the bar, Judge Smith began private practice in Gainesville, Ga in 1962. He was elected sole Superior Court Judge for Dawson, Hall, Lumpkin and White counties. In 1965 he was named United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia, where he served until 1974 when he resigned to accept a senior position in the Atlanta firm of Alston & Bird, where he remained as a partner and counsel until the end of his career. He was honored by both the Georgia and Atlanta Bars for his service to the courts and the profession. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Long interested in education, Judge Smith served as Chairman of the Gainesville Board of Education, as a member and Chairman of the State Borad of Regents, and as a Trustee of Brenau University for over 35 years. The Graduate School at Brenau is named for him.

At the time of his death, he was the longest serving member of Grace Episcopal Church, where he had been Treasurer, Vestryman and Senior Warden, and he was a member of the Gainesville Rotary Club.

Judge Smith is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Patricia Horkan, and three sisters Charters Smith Embry, Caroline Wallace and June Smith Woodruff.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn and three children; Charters Smith Wilson (Hugh) of Charlottesville, Va, Ellen Smith Andersen (Robb) of Dalton Ga, and Sidney O. Smith III, of Gainesville, Ga, and step-son Steve Sorrolls of Gainesville, Ga, eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Judge Smith was an enthusiastic spectator and sportsman having played varsity football at Harvard. He was always thankful for his life, his wife, his family and friends.

Memorials may be made to Brenau University, 500 Washington Street Gainesville, Ga 30501, or Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Ave NE Gainesville, Ga 30501

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday July 17, 2012, at 4 P. M. at Grace Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends after the service at the fellowship hall.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel is in charge of arrangements, 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville Ga 30501. 770-297-6200.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com/