Thomas Judd Smith Sr.

Tommy Smith, 87, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away on October 13, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born of parents Telfair and Inez Smith in 1936 in the Pleasant Grove Community of Johnston County; he was the oldest of seven children.

Tommy started working on his parents’ tobacco farm on Chisenhall Road when he was old enough to walk. He attended Fuquay Varina High School and continued to work on the family farm. Tommy was introduced to his wife, Lassie, at a dance in Wake Forest, they married in 1956, they started a family and had two sons.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons when he was younger. In his later days on Sunday afternoons, you would find him sitting in his recliner watching NASCAR races with the family. He was a huge fan of western movies, his all-time favorites were anything with “the Duke,” John Wayne.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Telfair and Inez Smith and survived by his wife, Lassie Smith, his sons, Thomas Judd Smith, Jr. and Roger Lee Smith; grandsons, Matthew Lauren Smith, Andrew Thomas Smith and granddaughters Allyssa Jade Castle and Kayleigh Danielle Smith; great-grandchildren, Shane Thomas Smith, Hannah Leigh Smith, Kyra Christina Smith, Wyatt Andrew Smith and Evelyn Victoria Smith; sisters, Faye Jones, Mary Tart and Sue Higgins.

The days and years ahead will not be the same without him, but will be good days filled with love, because of the example he lived for us.

A visitation for Thomas will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McLaurin Funeral Home, 12830 Us 70 Business Hwy W, Clayton, North Carolina 27520. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM, 12830 Us 70 Business Hwy W, Clayton, North Carolina 27520. A burial will occur Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Pinecrest Memorial Park, 12830 US 70 Bus Hwy W, Clayton, NC 27520.