Roderick Blair Smith - Obituary

Roderick Blair Smith, 75, a 42-year resident of Edgewater, MD, passed away at his home on January 31, 2022. Born on April 15, 1946 in South Bend, IN, he was one of two sons of the late Roderick and Troyce Smith. When Blair was a teenager, his family relocated to Silver Spring, MD where he graduated from Springbrook High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Education degree from Bowie State University. After graduation, Blair enjoyed a 30-year career as a history teacher with the Prince George’s County Public Schools, retiring in 2002. He also had a passion for architectural design and in 1975 started his own draftsman business, South County Designs. Blair was a member of the South Anne Arundel County Chapter of the Rotary International Club where he has served as President since July 2021. He was also an active member of Davidsonville United Methodist Church (UMC). In 2005, Blair and his wife, Joann, joined a church mission that traveled to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, where Blair’s cooking expertise was put to good use. Upon return, the couple founded the Davidsonville UMC’s Tongues of Fire BBQ Ministry Team which raises money each year to fund church mission work. Blair was also a judge for the Kansas City Barbecue Society and a certified judge for the Steak Cookoff Association. Blair is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Joann Marie Smith; two sons, Christopher (Kacey) Smith of Odenton, MD and Kendrick (Connie) Smith of Ivyland, PA, one brother, Scott Smith of Bethesda, MD and six grandchildren, Samantha, Sarah, Abigail, Alaina, Andrew and Alyssa Smith, as well as his many “adopted” international daughters, sons, and grandchildren. Friends are invited to visit with Blair’s family from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 3 at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Blair’s funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 5 at Davidsonville UMC, 819 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. The service will also be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Davidsonville UMC at the address above or online at www.dumc.net/give, or to the South Anne Arundel County Rotary Club Foundation at PO Box 131, Edgewater, MD 21037. Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.