Smith, Gregory Barnard

Gifted Drummer, Teacher, Author, And Band Member

  • Saturday, January 11, 2025
Gregory Barnard Smith
Gregory Barnard Smith

Gregory Barnard Smith, 61, is now at peace after a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He fought until the very end, before shuffling off his mortal coil and taking refuge in the comfort of the Lord in the early hours of January 8, 2025.

Born on May 7, 1963, to Leland Eugene (Gene) Smith and Sylvia “Joyce” Smith (Née Graham) in Chattanooga, the family soon relocated to Rome, Ga. Greg loved to play outside in his boyhood days. Climbing trees, playing army, building bases, and going on adventures with his friends and older brother Douglas Mitchell Smith were some of his favorite past times. He never lost his affinity for the outdoors and as an adult, curating and sitting in his garden with the fountain bubbling and some music was still his happy place.

Greg displayed a great talent for percussion from a young age. At five years old, his parents got him his first drum set and signed him up for drum lessons. Within just a few years he was a certifiable prodigy and had learned all there was to learn from his current drum instructor, Cottonbud Rogers. He and his friends formed several garage bands culminating with Phase IV where they were featured in local festivals, radio and TV performances.

He went to West Rome High School where he continued to excel as a drummer and earned several awards for his musicianship including being named All State Jazz Drummer back to back years in 1980-81. In 1980, Greg began to teach drum lessons for the first time. He graduated in 1981 and studied music at the University of South Carolina for two years where he was a member of the Carolina Band drumline before transferring to Berry College where he graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in Music Performance in 1987.

Through the 80s and 90s Greg was a member of multiple bands and music projects. During this time he met and fell in love with Kelly Ann Worthington, his Sunshine. In 1992 he found his faith and devoted his life to Christ. Greg and Kelly were married on Jan. 9, 1993. The couple moved to Nashville, where he continued to pursue his musical career. He was proud to have played with the Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble and The Establishment, toured with Cissie Lynn, Audrey Malone and the Rythym Kings, created the Dynamic Jazz Quartet, and to have been a regular performance at the Opryland Amusement Park.

In 1996 Greg welcomed his first son into the world, followed by his second in 1998. Thomas and Brandon meant the world to him and he loved them dearly. He greatly enjoyed being an active father: sharing his passion for music with them from a young age; sharing his love of history; leading them on adventures through the park, like in his own childhood days; picking berries, and playing ball.

Greg had been teaching drum lessons since 1980, but in 1993 he wrote his own drum set instruction method and curriculum called Dynamic Drumming, which grew to become a three-book series. He was extremely proud of his students, many of whom went on to launch their own successful careers in music. His love of teaching eventually led him back to school to pursue a career in education. He graduated from Berry College in 2005 with a Bachelor's of Art in Music Education with a minor in History.

He and his family relocated back to the Chattanooga area when they moved to Fort Oglethorpe, in 2002. They became members of First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe where he participated in the orchestra. Greg was a substitute teacher in Catoosa County for many years and student taught at Northwest Whitfield High School in 2005. He became the percussion instructor at the Creative Arts Guild in 2006 and a music teacher at Summerville Elementary from 2006-2009, then the band director at Unity Christian School in Rome, from 2009-2017. During his tenure at Unity he formed the Lions of Steel honors steel band and founded the Roaring Lions Pep Band for which, he wrote the the school fight song “Mighty Lions Growl.”

His discovery of steel pan drums at Unity was a natural fit for his percussion talents. In 2013 he formed AmeriCalypso, a steel band that fused popular American genres with the traditional Calypso genre the pans are known for. AmeriCalypso has played shows all over the Eastern United States, but for the past few years he could be regularly seen playing in the Chattanooga area at Scottie’s on the River and Zoi’s Harbor Lights.

In February of 2024, Greg welcomed his first grandchild into the world and he dawned the mantle of ‘Papa.’ Being a Papa was to be his next great adventure. He loved holding and playing with Amelia and she loved her Papa. He was able to share his final year with her and she shared her first year with him, along with many of her other firsts. They made the most of their time together.

Greg was a one of a kind musician and a one of a kind man. There will never be another like him. He would often share fond memories of his band mates, colleagues, classmates, students, and friends. He enjoyed all of the time he spent with his family. He was a devoted and loving husband for 32 years and a caring and involved father for nearly as long. Though his time here was cut short, he filled the time he had with amazing experiences and love and the impacts he left on those around him will not soon be forgotten.

Greg was preceded in death by his mother Sylvia “Joyce” Smith.

Greg is survived by his wife, Kelly Ann Worthington Smith; sons, Thomas Gregory (Amy Jo) LevinSmith, and Brandon Worthington Smith; granddaughter, Amelia Claire LevinSmith; father, Gene Smith; brother, Doug (Debra) Smith; goddaughter, Claire Garner Morales; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

The family will receive friends Monday, Jan. 13, from 12-2 p.m. at Lane Funeral Home and Crematory South Crest Chapel.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan., 13, in the Lane Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Philip Worthington officiating. Interment will follow at Dailey Hills Cemetery (New Boynton Cemetery).

Condolences can be shared with the Smith family and livestreaming of the funeral service can be viewed at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com

All arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory South Crest Chapel, Rossville.

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