Tyner Middle Academy Principal Mark Smith dies at 53

photo Superintendent Rick Smith and Tyner Middle Academy Principal Mark Smith are seen in this file photo.

Tyner Middle Academy Principal Mark Smith has died.

Chattanooga Violence Reduction Initiative Coordinator Paul Smith, a former colleague of Mark Smith's, said Mark Smith died after a heart attack early Sunday morning at age 53. The two were not related.

Mark Smith had been a very close friend of Paul Smith, who was a former principal at Howard School, where Mark Smith was his assistant principal.

"He was walking energy. He was in great shape which hurts more," Paul Smith said.

The two were also in the Public Education Foundation's Leadership Fellows program together in 2006, and then both were appointed administrators at Howard School by former Hamilton County School Superintendent Jim Scales, Paul Smith said.

"So from 2007 to 2013 we were basically joined at the hip. Very close friends," Paul Smith said.

Mark Smith also served as girls basketball coach and athletic director while at Howard School.

Mark Smith became principal of Tyner Middle after leaving Howard, Paul Smith said.

"Mark Smith was a comedian to his heart. He had an intelligent humor. He cared about our students and he was a great, great assistant principal. We worked in tandem with just about everything we did at Howard," Paul Smith said.

New United Missionary Baptist Church Pastor and Former Hamilton County School Board Member Jeffrey Wilson said he was shocked to hear of the news. He called Mark Smith a great educator and father and said his death was a great loss.

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.

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