He eventually graduated from Southwestern Presbyterian University in Clarksville, Tennessee, and earned a master's degree in rural school education from George Peabody College for Teachers.
[1] Smith was a student of health education professor Fletcher B. Dresslar (1858–1930) who conducted an important initial survey for Rosenwald Schools.
These designs were issued in a booklet entitled Community School Plans, which also included contractor specifications and other guidance.
Numerous works associated with him survive and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Works credited to him include (with variants in attribution as indicated in National Register listing):