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Dr Edward Holman Smith

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Birth	:	2 Sep 1915 Abbeville, Abbeville County, South Carolina, USA
Death	:	23 Jun 2012 Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Upper Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate	:	34.2042007, -82.3917007
Description	:	Edward Holman Smith, PhD, devoted son and brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle, scientist and scholar, naturalist, raconteur and author, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on June 23, 2012, at the age of 96. He was born on September 2, 1915, in Abbeville, SC, to Joel Allen and Anne Holman Smith, the only son in a family of seven children that included two sets of twins, of which he was one. He was preceded in death by his six sisters: Grace Smith Harrison of Asheville; Anne Smith Cook of Teaneck, NJ; Rebecca Cothran Smith... Read More	Edward Holman Smith, PhD, devoted son and brother, husband, father, grandfather and uncle, scientist and scholar, naturalist, raconteur and author, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on June 23, 2012, at the age of 96. He was born on September 2, 1915, in Abbeville, SC, to Joel Allen and Anne Holman Smith, the only son in a family of seven children that included two sets of twins, of which he was one. He was preceded in death by his six sisters: Grace Smith Harrison of Asheville; Anne Smith Cook of Teaneck, NJ; Rebecca Cothran Smith of Columbia, SC; Blanding Smith Guignard of Columbia, SC; Hettie Smith Carter of Asheville; and Meta Lythgoe Smith of Asheville. He graduated from The Clemson Agricultural College in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture-Entomology and a commission in the U.S. Army. He went on to receive Master's and Doctorate degrees in Entomology from Cornell University. During World War II he served as an officer in the European Theater and retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a colonel. In 1998, Ed and his wife of 64 years, Janet Ritchie Smith, moved from Ithaca, NY, to Asheville, NC, for what he described as their "late harvest" years. Here they made new friends, connected with old ones, and continued their work on the biography of entomological pioneer Charles Valentine Riley. He served on the Board of Visitors of Warren Wilson College and continued to write in his capacity as the "elder statesman and historian" of the Entomological Society of America. From raising Imperial Moth caterpillars for a granddaughter's first grade class, to sampling new tomato varieties developed at the Fletcher Experimental Station, to picnics at The NC Arboretum, his love for and fascination with the natural world was boundless. Ed's entomological career began as an agricultural extension agent working with fruit growers in New York State's Finger Lakes Region. In 1964 he was named Chairman of the Entomology Department at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, NC. He was an early advocate for the writings of Rachel Carson and testified against the excessive use of DDT at U.S. Senate hearings in the 1960s. He returned to Cornell University in 1967 to become Director of Cooperative Extension for New York State, shepherding that agency through the financial trials following New York City's declaration of bankruptcy during the 1970s. He ended his career where it began, at Cornell's Comstock Hall as chairman of the Entomology Department. His knowledge and expertise took him to Afghanistan, China, Kenya, Thailand, Peru, and Malawi where he worked to improve the quality and quantity of food production in those countries. Throughout his life he was a tireless advocate for the environment, instilling in his children, grandchildren and extended family a love of and respect for nature. In addition to his beloved wife Janet, he is survived by four children: Janet Smith Moore of Asheville and her husband Parker Moore; Rebecca Cothran Smith and her husband Keith Mendelson of McLean, VA; Joel Allen Smith and his wife Katherine Megrue Smith of Pottersville, NJ; and Jane McNaughton Smith of Arlington, VA. His legacy is in the capable hands of the next generation in whom he had so much faith: his grandchildren - Daniel, 25; Hannah, 25; Amelia, 23; Samuel, 21; Lydia, 20; Henry, 19; Laureana, 17; Edward, 15; Allen, 13; and Sarah, 11; nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held for family and friends on August 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Giles Chapel, Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Center, Asheville, NC.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Dr Edward Holman Smith's memorial?
Dr Edward Holman Smith's memorial is located at: Upper Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA.
When did Dr Edward Holman Smith death?
Dr Edward Holman Smith death on 23 Jun 2012 in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Dr Edward Holman Smith's memorial?
Latitude: 34.2042007
Longitude: -82.3917007

Family Members:

Parent

Joel Allen Smith Jr.

(1876 - 1946)

Ann Wannamaker “Ansie” Holman Smith

(1883 - 1956)

Spouse

Janet Ritchie Smith

(1922 - 2018)

Siblings

Joel Allen Smith III

(1912 - 1915)

Rebecca Cothran Smith

(1913 - 1998)

Meta Lythgoe Smith

(1917 - 1986)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Upper Long Cane Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2042007, -82.3917007

2. Harbison Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1918983, -82.3831024

3. Melrose Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1892014, -82.4017029

4. Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1769100, -82.3808100

5. Secession Hill Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1789560, -82.3750630

6. Trinity Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1753006, -82.3818970

7. Cold Spring Mennonite Church Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2341870, -82.4032290

8. Old Zion Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1967010, -82.4291992

9. John Thompson Family Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1725769, -82.3817139

10. Lakeview Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1725769, -82.3817139

11. Gilmer Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2152160, -82.4393790

12. Long Cane AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1686950, -82.3519250

13. Campfield Baptist Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2521080, -82.4093810

14. Clear Spring AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2567520, -82.3845480

15. Cypress Chapel AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2016520, -82.4645270

16. Guffin - Spence - Williams
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1533840, -82.4316000

17. Adams-Vann Family Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1445140, -82.3683540

18. Martin Family Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2356284, -82.4644769

19. Aiken Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2491989, -82.3285980

20. Eakin Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2492590, -82.3279530

21. Saint Peter AME Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1313130, -82.4150360

22. McCord Family Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1593330, -82.3181670

23. Gilgal Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2764015, -82.3497009

24. Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2378820, -82.3035520