Andrew (Sandy) Augustus Smith, Sr. died in Fairhope, Alabama, on Jan. 17, 2024, after a long illness. Sandy was born in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama, the oldest son of Andrew Augustus Smith and Mary Virginia Barnes Smith. His family lived in many different areas of the country before settling in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from Tower Hill School in Wilmington and Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. While attending Washington and Lee, he met the love of his life, Sarah (Sallie) Crosby. They married soon after her graduation from college and moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served his country as a first lieutenant in the United States Army. Sandy and Sallie then returned to Wilmington, where he built a career as a trust officer and vice president of the Wilmington Trust Company. He retired after 35 years and moved to Fairhope, Alabama to be closer to family and enjoy his favorite pastime of fishing. He volunteered with the Thomas Hospital Auxiliary, was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Society of Cincinnati.
Sandy was a committed conservationist and belonged to numerous organizations such as Ducks Unlimited (New Castle County, Delaware chapter) and the Coastal Conservation Association (Baldwin County, Alabama chapter where he served as treasurer). He was happiest on the water, whether fishing in Arkansas, numerous ponds, and creeks in Delaware, or in the Mobile Bay and Tensaw Delta. He loved sports, spending hours cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies, never shy with his opinions about either team. Most importantly, Sandy was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a loyal friend. He will be missed by many for his kindness, his razor-sharp wit, and his quiet sense of humor.
Sandy was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Sarah (Sallie) Crosby Smith. He is survived by his brother, Wade Hampton Barnes Smith (Berta); his sister, Mary Virginia Smith Johnson (Jon); his son, Dr. Andrew A. Smith, Jr. (Kristin); his daughter, Sarah Smith Chapman (Richard); and his five grandchildren, Chapin Smith Whetstone (Morgan), Andrew Smith, Jack Smith, Crosby Chapman, and Owen Chapman. A memorial service will be held on Fri., Jan. 26, in the chapel at St. James Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m. Because he always valued education and conservation, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Sandy’s memory may be made to Tower Hill School, Washington & Lee University, Coastal Conservation Association, or Mobile Baykeeper.
