C. Roland Smith, 83, of Lyman, SC passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, on

February 9, 2026. A native of Mims, FL, Roland came to Spartanburg to attend

Converse College where he earned both BME and MME degrees before beginning his

career as Choral Director at James F. Byrnes HS in 1967. Leaving his position at

Byrnes, Roland served First Baptist Inman for five years as Director of Music and Senior

Adult Ministries. He concluded his varied career with fifteen years as a Rural Letter

Carrier for the Moore, SC branch of the USPS.

     Roland was well-known in the music community of Spartanburg. He directed choirs for

more than forty years at a variety of churches in Spartanburg County, including twenty-

five years at Saint Paul UMC. He performed with Converse Opera Theater, Spartanburg

Repertory Opera Company and Spartanburg Little Theater. A life-long musician, Roland

sang with numerous church choirs, The Upstate Men’s Choir and the Spartanburg

Master Chorale for more than fifty years.

     Roland enjoyed traveling, camping and hiking, gardening and continuing to learn as an

active member of the Life-Long Learning community sponsored by Wofford College. He

was known for his warm, welcoming personality and his quirky sense of humor.

     Roland is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julie, his daughter, Kirsten L. Button (Ted),

and his son, Steven M. Smith (Jenny), as well as his grandsons, Jason and Ethan

Button. Also surviving is his sister, Bea D. Godwin of St. Augustine, FL and his sister-in-

law, Carol Smith of Tracyton, WA. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles F. and

Wilda D. Smith of Mims, FL, and by his twin brother, Charles Robert Smith of Tracyton,

WA.

     A service to celebrate his life will be held at Saint Paul UMC on Saturday, April 25,

2026, at 2:00pm. A reception will immediately follow for all in attendance so we may

share wonderful memories of Roland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Paul UMC, Spartanburg, SC, or to

the charity of your choice.