Helen (Sissy) Chance Burgstiner Smith

Helen (Sissy) Chance Burgstiner Smith, 70, formerly of Albany, GA but retired to Black Mountain, NC after the death of her beloved husband Dr. Christopher C. Smith, died peacefully surrounded by family after a battle with brain cancer on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Sissy was born on July 24,1954 in Miami, FL. She was the second of five children born to Helen Sharpe Burgstiner and Carson B. Burgstiner M.D. Sissy was married to Dr. Christopher C. Smith in 1976 in her hometown of Savannah, GA. They later moved to Albany, GA where they resided together from 1982-2021. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and grandmother, and friend to many. Sissy was reared in Savannah, GA and graduated from Savannah Country Day School in 1971 later attending the school of nursing at Augusta Medical College where she completed her RN in 1977. She was an accomplished athlete: sailor, bicyclist, scuba diver, basketball player, and runner. She also loved aerobics, dancing, yoga, spinning, and pilates; however, anyone who knew Sissy knows her true passion was golf. A highly skilled golfer, she became the River Pointe Golf Course Club Champion in 2010, and the next year of 2011 she won a Prius Toyota by scoring a hole-n-one at the Nancy Lopez Hospice Tournament at Doublegate Country Club. She will always be remembered for her thunderous drives from the golf tee and her booming laughter which typically followed. As a committed Christian and deep believer in Jesus Christ she was self sacrificing and championed the notion of grace. Her unreserved sense of humor and laughter were contagious,and had the ability to turn the mundane into a hilarious adventure. She was truly a kind and sweet soul and served with dedication the Whiz Kids literacy program and as a Deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her children: Campbell Smith (Heather) of St. Marys, Georgia and Cecilia Smith of Asheville, North Carolina; and Grand-Daughter Norah Rhodes Smith; her siblings, Will Burgstiner (Anna) of Savannah, Georgia; Beth Pittman (Noel) of Trussville, Alabama, and John Burgstiner (Jahn) of Loganville, GA; Sally Wagner (Gregg) of Littleton, Colorado; and her loving dog Sugabear and two cats Tuna and Champ. Sissy loved keeping up with her many numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she dearly loved. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Whiz Kids Ministry at Covenant Presbyterian Church or your local Hospice.

Helen (Sissy) Chance Burgstiner Smith

July 24, 1954 - August 11, 2024