Theodore “Ted” Lee Smith, 82, of Florence, Alabama was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on August 28, 1944. He peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Ted spent his earliest years growing up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota where his parents, Anna Mae and Rennie Smith, were teachers with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. By high school, his family had moved to Philadelphia, Mississippi where Ted played football and basketball at Philadelphia High School before graduating in 1962. He subsequently attended and graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in accounting and remained an avid Bulldog fan for the remainder of his life. Following his graduation from college, Ted had a long and successful career in sales. He loved people and never met a stranger.
Ted enjoyed pheasant and deer hunting until his health no longer permitted it. He always had his best buddy, Rosie, his faithful labrador, with him wherever he went. A long-time member of Grace Bible Church of the Shoals, Ted accepted Christ and was baptized in April of 2023. He often shared his new faith in Christ with many people. It gives his family great comfort knowing that he is now with his Lord and Savior.
Ted is survived by Ann Crawford Smith, his loving wife of 46 years, and his children, Virginia “Gingi” Smith Gautier (Chuck) of Ridgeland, Mississippi, Tim Smith (Julie) of Arlington, Texas, and Kevin Montgomery of Florence, Alabama. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Charlie Gautier of Huntsville, Alabama, Abby Smith of Arlington, Texas, Meagan Gautier Galatas (Jacob) of Portage de Sioux, Missouri, Max Smith of Arlington, Texas, Aubrie Montgomery Cook (Brodie) of Florence, Alabama and Braxton Montgomery of Florence, Alabama. Ted is also survived by his brother, Lowery Smith of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Rennie Smith and Anna Mae Lowery Smith, his sister, Maribel Rozendal, his brother-in-law, Dave Rozendal, sister-in-law, Mary Ann Smith, and his beloved dog, Rosie.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home, 3657 Old Chisholm Road, Florence, Alabama, where the family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenview Cemetery in Florence.
