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Sidney Theodore Smithdeal, 88, Elizabethton, passed away peacefully at his residence with his family by his side on July 14, 2023 after an extended illness. Sidney was the son of the late Joseph Allen Smithdeal Sr. and Virginia Hale Smithdeal and was preceded in death by his long-time fiancé, Trula Elizabeth Haley, as well as a brother, Joseph “Allen” Smithdeal Jr., and a sister, Jean Smithdeal Hyder.
Left to cherish his memory are a special nephew, caregiver, and “wingman,” Rick Smithdeal (wife Lori and son Sean), along with nephews, Art Smithdeal (wife Janice and son Travis), Joe Smithdeal (wife Tammy and son Joseph) and Andy Hyder (daughters Amy and Andrea); and a niece, Kathy Boling (husband Rick and sons Justin and Austin). Sidney also leaves behind his fiancé’s, children, Susan Adams (husband Sam and daughters Holly, Elizabeth, Rebecca) and J.W. “Scotty” Scott (Kaci), along with a special cousin, Patty Smithdeal Fulton. Several great-great-nephews, nieces and cousins also survive.
“Fleet” Sidney Smithdeal was an accomplished athlete in the 1950s at Elizabethton High School where he lettered in multiple sports. Sidney lettered four years in baseball (All Conference for two years) and three years in football (All Conference and National High School All American and All-Star Squad Selection in 1953) along with track for four years specializing in hurdles and the broad jump. In addition, he also boxed in S.E. Golden Gloves where he was undefeated as a Light Heavyweight and was the 1954 Northeast TN Golden Glove Champion. Following high school, Sidney was drafted by the K.C. Athletics and played minor league baseball from 1955-1960 and for the U.S. Army upon being drafted in 1958.
Sidney was inducted into the Elizabethton High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Sidney was also an avid horseman and outdoor enthusiast and loved local wildlife especially his raccoons, foxes, bears and deer which he spent many hours observing and taking pictures (along with feeding them fig newtons). He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton.
Following Sidney’s baseball career, he returned to the family business at Smithdeal’s Supermarket where he worked from 1960 until the store closed in the late 1970s. Sidney served as Assistant Manager and V.P. during this time. After the closing of Smithdeal’s, Sidney worked for the Elizabethton Housing Authority as a housing inspector until his retirement in 1997. Sidney was actively involved in local and state politics for many years in the 1960s through the 1990s. He was named an honorary member of the TN State House staff as well as an honorary colonel to the TN governor’s staff. Sidney also previously served as a commissioner on the Elizabethton Economic Development Board and was a past active member of the Elizabethton Kiwanis.
The family wished to give a special thanks to Gentiva Hospice Staff (especially Grace) as well as the entire Hillview Rehabilitation Unit staff that cared so well for Sidney the past two years.
Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Chapel with his great-nephews, Joseph Smithdeal II and Travis Smithdeal, officiating. The graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Mustard, Kent Edens, Barton Edens, Bill Greene Sr. and Sid Davidson along with former employees of Smithdeal’s Supermarket and past coworkers at the Elizabethton Housing Authority as well his past teammates at EHS, the Kansas City Athletics and members of the Elizabethton Kiwanis. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may donate to the charity of their choice in Sid’s memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Smithdeal family.