Marion M.C. Claude Smith

Marion Claude (M.C.) Smith, 89, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully during a beautiful sunset at Presbyterian Hospital on November 18, 2011. Born on September 30, 1922 in Florence, SC, he was the son of the late Marion C. Smith and Bertha Smith Killen and stepfather, Fisher Killen. M.C. graduated from Florence High School in Florence, S.C. He joined the Navy in the early years of WWII and served proudly around the world including campaigns in Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. He was a crew member aboard the USS Panamint on which three Japanese emissaries surrendered to Admiral Fletcher in September 1945. Returning after the war, a proud veteran, M.C. attended the University of South Carolina, graduating with a BA degree in journalism. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served at the Naval Air Base in Key West, FL. He worked at Sears and Lerner’s in the consumer credit department where he was a dedicated and loyal employee, retiring in 1990. He was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Aline Waddell of Florence, SC. He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 63 years, Carolyn Cox Smith. His children; Marion C. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Patricia Hendricks Smith of Pleasant Prairie, WI; Peggy Smith Triulzi and her husband Robert C. Triulzi of Palm Coast, FL. His grandchildren, Brant Smith and his wife Shayna, Adria Delaney and husband Dan, Karyn Smith, Christina Triulzi, Robert Triulzi, Jr., Brian Triulzi and his wife Candice. His great grandchildren, Graham and Emerson Smith, Teagan and Jameson Delaney and Hailyn Smith. Sister, Bobbie Jean Gilbert of Spartanburg, SC; sister in law, Isla Jean Buckwell and her husband John Buckwell of Charlotte, NC and brother in law Russ Bellman of Columbia, SC.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 11:00am at McEwen Pineville Chapel 10500 Park Rd Charlotte, NC 28210. The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:00am prior to the service. M.C.’s nephew, Pastor Fritz Gilbert of New Beginnings UMC will be conducting the service. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the youth program at Boiling Springs UMC 210 Rainbow Lake Rd., Boiling Springs, SC 29316.

Please visit M.C’s online memorial at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com