Henry Briggs Smith, Sr.

Dr. Henry Briggs Smith, Sr., 86, of Valdosta, died on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, after a brief illness. He was born in Valdosta on January 5, 1932, to Dr. Thomas Harding Smith, Sr. and Corrine Briggs Smith. He attended public schools in Valdosta, graduating from VHS in 1949. He spent one treasured, post-graduate year at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN, graduating in 1950. He received his undergraduate degree from Emory University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After graduating from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1958, he served his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta from 1958 to 1959. He then completed his residency at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York City. Following his residency, he returned to Valdosta and in September 1963 started his ENT practice. He faithfully served his community until his retirement in 1997. Upon his return to Valdosta, Briggs met the former Lane Winston and they were married in March of 1965. Lane and Briggs loved to travel, especially to New York City where they attended Broadway shows and enjoyed wonderful restaurants. Spending time with family and friends was a favorite pastime, as was cooking, eating oysters, playing golf, hunting, fishing and reading. He was regarded by all who knew him as the epitome of a true southern gentleman. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, a faithful member of the “12 Old Men” and the “ROMEO” groups. “Daddy Briggs” was a wonderful, generous father to his boys, their spouses and his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, H. Briggs, Jr. and Wendy Smith of Marietta, GA and R. Winston and Amanda Smith of Fairhope, AL; four grandchildren, Mason Smith, Ellis Smith, Winston Smith, Jr., and Gray Smith all of Fairhope. Also surviving is a sister, Julia Bess Scott of Valdosta, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Lane Winston Smith, a brother Dr. Thomas H. Smith, Jr. and two sisters, Georgia Smith Thomson and Sis Smith McGehee.

A memorial service will be held for Dr. Smith at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Whit Byram will officiate. Burial of the cremains will follow at the family plot at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will hold a reception for family and friends from 4 until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 25 at Park Place by McLane, 108 W. Park Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or Hospice of South Georgia/Langdale Hospice House. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.comCarson McLane Funeral Home.