Macon Miller Smith, 86, of Lexington died Jan. 24

Macon Miller Smith, 86, of Lexington passed away on Jan. 24, 2023. He was the husband of Elizabeth Ann Kent Smith, Lexington, for 64 years.

He was a Lynchburg native, the son of the late Radford Spencer Smith Jr. and Edna Stephens Smith.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger brother, Radford Spencer (Sonny) Smith III.

He leaves a son, Marek Kent Smith and his wife Lisa Beckstrom of Durham, N.C.; three siblings, Barbara Smith LeFew, Lera Millner Davis, both of Lynchburg, and Susan Smith Bullock and spouse John Bullock of Madison Heights; and 13 nieces and nephews.

As a boy, he carried News & Advance newspapers morning and evening by bicycle to over 300 customers; he also won the second Lynchburg Soap Box Derby in 1950.  Macon attended Virginia Tech (then VPI) as a member of the Corps of Cadets and served in the Army National Guard of Virginia.

He became an architect with Clark, Nexsen and Owen, and after two decades, was highly sought after from several states as a specialist in hospital projects.  He helped then-Lynchburg General to design the CT scan and the cobalt machine rooms; also with pediatrician, Dr. Houck, designed the neonatal lab — all of which benefited so many citizens from having to travel elsewhere.

When it was decided to renovate Virginia Baptist Hospital, there was considerable concern how to handle the antique paintings in the front hall and Macon did considerable research to find someone that knew how to carefully move them; he designed the breezeway from the hospital to the now renovated nurses building — which became known as "Macon's Spur" — and the new rear parking deck.

His mark is in dozens of buildings from colleges and schools to post offices to medical offices to fine arts centers all over Lynchburg and the Central and Southwestern Virginia regions.

Macon loved the outdoors; he was an avid hunter and angler, and after limited mobility closed those doors, he made stained glass pieces, tied flyfishing flies and became an avid bird watcher.  His son credits their many years together in the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and as members of the Lynchburg Bird Club and Virginia Society of Ornithology, as the genesis for his own 30-year career in conservation.

Above all, Macon was a social person who loved nothing more to sit with friends and strangers alike and share stories. 

A private burial will be held at Fort Hill Memorial Park and a celebration of life planned later in the year.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to those who have offered their loving care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Conservation Fund of the Virginia Society of Ornithology at https://www.virginiabirds.org/donate.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, (434) 239-2405, is assisting the family.

Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com.