Obituary of Samuel Bosworth Smith

Samuel Bosworth Smith, IV, died in the loving arms of his family at his home on January 28, 2024. He was 85. 
 Born on Missionary Ridge, Sam attended The Bright School (’51), Baylor School (‘57), and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA ‘61). He developed life-long friends within the UNC Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a legendary obsession with Tar Heel basketball. Following UNC, Sam embarked on a four-decade career at T.H. Payne Company, the office supply concern that was founded by his great grandfather in 1865 and held the title of Chattanooga’s oldest business until its sale in 1996. A devout Episcopalian, Sam grew up in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and spent his adult years in Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain. 
In the service of his family and community, Sam wore many hats. He was a Sunday school teacher, a church usher, a youth baseball coach, and a Cub Scout leader. Sam also joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga and was thankful for the opportunity to provide support and guidance for his little brother James. Sam had an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball history and conversations with friends often began with an enthusiastic trivia challenge. He was a guaranteed laugh with razor-sharp wit that failed to dull with age. But mostly, Sam was a committed husband to a wife he adored and selfless father of two boys in which he took pride.
Sam found great pleasure in sports. As a participant, he could often be found at the Chattanooga YMCA where he played competitive, then social, racquetball most of his adult life. He hiked all the trails of the Chickamauga Battlefield numerous times with his sons. As a spectator, he was not discerning, but the Masters, UNC basketball, and any athletic endeavor involving his children took precedence.
 Sam is survived by his wife Patricia Nelson Smith, with whom he would have celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary this April; his son Samuel Bosworth Smith, V, (Zoe) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; his son Courtenay Nelson Smith (Anna) of Andover, Mass.; and his grandson Quentin Samuel Smith of Andover, Mass. 
Sam was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Bosworth Smith, III; his mother, Eleanor Howell Smith; and his sister, Helen Smith Davenport. The family will receive friends from 12 - 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 211 Franklin Rd, Lookout Mountain.
 A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, St. Elmo. 
 Sam’s family has established a fund at his beloved Downtown Family YMCA. Donations in his honor may be made at https://www.ymcachattanooga.org/donate (Downtown Community Support Gift) or mailed to Downtown Family YMCA, c/o Development, 301 West 6th Street, Chattanooga TN 37402 Arrangements are by Wann Funeral & Cremation Center at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo (423) 821-7551 Share your memories at wannfuneralhome.com.