In Memoriam: Don L. Smith (1931-2024)

Don Lee Smith passed away the morning of July 29th, 2024. He was a founding partner who celebrated 62 years as a Nashville attorney, in the fall of last year. Among other accomplishments, Smith founded the Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel and served as its initial chairman. Now, TACC annually recognizes a leading construction law sector attorney with the “Don L. Smith Award.”

For many years, Mr. Smith enjoyed golfing at Hillwood Country Club and The Golf Club of Tennessee, supporting the Tennessee Titans as a Founding PSL holder. He also cherished his trips to the Gulf Coast of Florida with his wife, Sandra, his three sons and their families, and his beloved dogs Buckeye and Boo. Always sporting a suntan, “Big” rarely missed a grandchild’s endeavor at school performances, soccer, softball or track, and he readily made numerous friends on the sidelines. His ability to make lifelong friends extended the size of his family, as many neighbors and children called him “Big,” considered him a grandfather and willingly answered his legendary lists of numerous questions.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sandra McCallister Smith, and sons T. Andrew “Andy” Smith (Janette), Richard McCallister Smith (Katie Elcan) and Marcus Engle Smith (Cherie) and grandchildren Shelby Smith Wilcox (Jackson), “Coco” Caroline Greer Smith (Andy Durcan) and “Mack” Andrew McCallister Smith, “Libby” Elizabeth Smith McClellan (Lee), Leila Barringer Smith, Anna Louise Smith, Lilly Grace Smith, Elizabeth Coffman Elcan (Sam Fine), Caroline McMurtry Elcan and Joseph Galen Elcan, Jr., and on July 15, Big was thrilled to spend the day with his first great-grandson, Jackson Martin Wilcox, Jr.