Ernest Richard Smith Sr.

Ernest Richard Smith,Sr of Lehigh Acres and formerly Brevard NC, was born October 16,1925 in Brevard NC to the late Jesse Allen Smith and Lillie Mae Orr Smith. He died August 16, 2022 at the age of 96.

He is preceded in death by 5 brothers and 2 sisters and was the last member of his family living.

He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Mary Margaret Davis Smith and four children: Ernest Richard Smith,Jr. (Janet) of Waynesville, NC, Jesse Michael “Mickey” Smith (Kathy) of Mt Pleasant, NC, Mary Victoria “Vicki” Parker-Basting (Mark) of Durham, NC and Nathan Evan Smith (Porsha) of Brevard, NC. He had grandchildren: Jefferson “Jeff” Michael Parker (Deborah),Christine “Christi” Solanzo (Carlos), Heidi Elise Smith, Brandon Michael Smith, Jenny Marie Sheikhli (Stephen), Jeremy Matthew Smith (Melanie), Evan Davis Smith (Jillian), Keenan Richard Smith (Michelle) and Katie Britt Smith. He has ten Great Grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Ernest was a World War II veteran. He served in the United States Navy seeing action in the Pacific theatre. He was a volunteer fireman with the Brevard Fire Department for 27 years. He founded Brevard Moving & Storage, was a licensed Barber and worked as a supervisor at the Brevard DuPont plant until his retirement in 1984.He was always the happiest when he was helping others or working. He was the Volunteer of Volunteers!

Ernest was a member of First Baptist Church in Lehigh Acres,Fl. He was an ordained deacon and elder. He served for many years as a Gideon.

A memorial service for Ernest will be held 11 am Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 200 Lee Boulevard, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Smith family.