Shirley Smith Obituary

Shirley Hamrick Smith

October 23, 1932 - March 21, 2026

Columbia, South Carolina - A funeral service for Shirley Hamrick Smith, 93, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, with a private burial in Woodridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Shirley died Saturday, March 21, 2026. Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Bill and Florelle Hamrick and was one of three girls. She was married to James Erwin Smith of Columbia, SC during his service in the US Navy.

Shirley served as President of the Forest Lake Woman's Club and as Blue Star Marker Chairman. She was honored as Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Columbia Jaycees. In the 1960s, she worked as Litter and Recycling Chairman for the South Carolina Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia. She also contributed to Columbia's Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up campaign, which helped the city earn an All-America City Award. Shirley was a member of The Petal Pushers Garden Club and served as its president 13 times. She was also a member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school.

Additionally, she led The PAD Club (People Are Dandy) for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. The group met monthly for fellowship and a meal, which she often provided. She even studied and obtained a limited commercial driver's license so she could drive the bus for overnight trips.

Surviving are her children, Scott E. Smith, Holly S. Anderson, and Philip Smith (Patty); grandchildren, Melissa Anderson, Matthew Anderson (Tricia) and Tyler Anderson (Bess); great-grandchildren, Brooke Anderson, Molly Anderson, Whitley Anderson, Abigail Pyle, Ava McKinsey; and one great-great-grandchild, Wesley Anderson.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, James Erwin Smith, and her daughter, Leesa Sue Smith, whom she took great care of for 60 years, as she was mentally and physically challenged.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ebenezer Lutheran Church Living Stones Legacy Fund, 1301 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.