West Columbia -- Sylvia Diane Smith, 73, of West Columbia, South Carolina, passed away at her home on February 12, 2026. Sylvia was born October 23, 1952, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the late Samuel Neely Smith, Jr. and Lois Pearson Smith of Columbia, South Carolina.

Sylvia graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and began her teaching career at Lexington High School. She then transferred to White Knoll Middle School where she taught until she retired to help care for her mother. She formed friendships with the teachers, some of whom became lifelong friends. Sylvia loved teaching and is fondly remembered by her students who learned to cook, plan a budget, and sew. They especially enjoyed the pillows they made which took on fun forms such as footballs, popsicles, ballet slippers, and baseball gloves. Sylvia was loved by students, fellow teachers, neighbors, many friends, her cats, and her family.

She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi, a social and service sorority. Her chapter was called Torchbearer Gamma. She cherished her sorority sisters who had truly become like family, some of whom she’d been friends with since 1980.

Sylvia did not have children but had three cats: Bailey, Sophie, and Whiskers who were her fur babies. She loved them and cared for them like children; she often laughed about how spoiled they were.

Sylvia is survived by her brothers Ron Smith (the late Pam Smith) of Winnsboro, South Carolina, and Stan Smith (Gloria) of Summerville, South Carolina; nephews, Brad Smith (Michelle) and their son, Liam, of Tampa, Florida; and Nathan Smith from Summerville, South Carolina. Her family loved Sylvia dearly and will miss her very much.

The funeral will be held at Thompson Funeral Home on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2:00 pm with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. The Reverand Andrew Isenhower of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pawmetto Lifeline, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212. (803-465-9150) (pawmettolifeline.org)