Frisby Davis Smith, 91, died at his long time residence in Wytheville on May 7, 2017, surrounded by his immediate family.  He was the son of the Reverend Edwin Bittle Smith and Margaret Henderson Smith.  He was a graduate of Handley High School in Winchester, Virginia. Later he earned a Bachelor's degree from Berea College in Kentucky, and his Master's and Doctorate degrees from the University of Kentucky.

During World War II Smith was enrolled in the V-12 U.S. Navel College Training Program at Hampton Sydney College and later was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and San Diego, California.

His career in education began as a classroom math and English teacher. He then transferred into administration as a principal and superintendent in Midway, Kentucky.   In 1955 he joined the faculty in the School of Education at the University of Virginia as an Assistant Professor.  In 1961 he accepted the position of Director of Instruction in the Roanoke, Virginia Public Schools.

In 1964 he moved to Wisconsin and served as the Executive Director of Elementary and Secondary Education for Milwaukee Public Schools for 21 years.  His related professional activities included participation in a Fulbright Scholarship for an Educators Study Trip to China, a European Study Tour in the European Atlantic Movement, the Great Cities Educational Research Team, a participant in and Study Tour of the U.S.S.R.  He also served as member of the Board of Trustees for the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Upon his retirement in 1985, he moved to Wytheville with his wife, who was from Wytheville. He continued his interest in education by volunteering in the Wythe County Adult Literacy and GED programs.  In 1990 he became a member of the Wytheville Community College Board and in 1994 he was selected as Chairman of the Board.  As a member of the Wytheville Rotary Club, he served a term as Secretary and in 2016 he was recognized as having 27 years of perfect attendance. Smith also was active in the Wythe County Historical Society and served as president and as a guide on occasions for tourists who toured the Historical District.

He was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and served as council member and president of the congregation. He was also a board member of the Lutheran Family Services of Virginia.

His interests were many but love of gardening, working with his roses, and watching sports with his two sons were at the top of his activities, followed by reading and traveling.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Adelaide; and two sons, Tad Smith of Dixon CA (a principal scientist with Bayer in West Sacramento, CA) and his wife, Mollie, and Steven J. Smith of Aldie VA (General Manager of the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC) and his wife Patricia.  He is also survived by one sister, Margaret Cochran of Moab, UT; four grandchildren, Lauren, Alex, Lindsay, and Preston Smith; two favorite sisters-in-laws, Nancy Lee Jennings and Evelyn J. Taylor, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m.  Burial will be at the old St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 W. Main Street, Wytheville VA 24382, and to HOPE Ministry Center, P.O. Box 743, Wytheville VA 24382.

Barnett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.