Ben was born in 1929 on the family farm and lived there his entire life except for his Army service in the Korean Conflict. He made a living as a cattle and chicken farmer. He also served as a NASCAR Scoring Official for 40 years. He obtained his pilot's license in 1949 and spent several decades as a Civil Air Partol Pilot. He drove his 1951 Chrysler New Yorker directly off the Detroit factory floor. He also restored his 1970 Petty Blue Plymouth Superbird. Both of which he enjoyed taking to parades and car shows.
He was the son of the late John George Smith and Lucy York Smith and was also preceded in death by his wives, Geneva Lineberry Smith and Doris Overman Johnson Smith; step-daughter, Marilyn McQueary; sisters, Lucille Loflin and Dale Lineberry; brothers, Guy Smith, John Robert Smith, JG Smith and Cecil Smith.
Ben is survived by his sister, Rosa Smith Clark Sharpe; daughter, Lisa Smith; son, Tim Smith (Sherry), step-son, Barry Johnson (Connie); grandchildren, Christina Garner (Justin), John McQueary (Katherine), Madison Smith and Miles Smith; and great-grandchildren, Michael, Lydia, Ephraim, Maddox, Foster, Stella, Posie, and Henry.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home, 212 W. Swannanoa Avenue, Liberty, NC. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Rehobeth United Methodist Church, 850 Kildee Church Road, Ramseur, NC. He will be laid to rest in the church cemetery beside his wife, Geneva.
Please share your thougths and memories with the family at www.LoflinFH.com.
Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is honored to serve the Smith family.
