Gene worked hard for the Liberty Chair Company, Beaman Corporation, Chrisco Machinery Co. and was the owner and operator of Smith Tree Service. Although he was not formally educated, he could perform many jobs that required degrees. Gene was often considered a “Man’s Man” by those who knew him, but was a gentle teddy bear to his children and grandchildren. He was a friend to anyone who was in need. He loved hunting, fishing at the coast, and raising a garden. Gene came up hard and knew the value of a dollar; he strived to provide for his family a life better than he had as a child. His loving ways of teaching provided life lessons to many kids who were brought into his path.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, August 3, 2021 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3572 W. Greensboro Chapel Hill Road, Liberty, NC with Rev. Noah Albarez officiating. He will be laid to rest at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.
He was the son of the late Willard Prather and Gertrude Shore Smith and was also preceded in death by his wife, Adele “Dalton” Bailey Smith; step-mother, Emma Ramsey Smith; brothers, Howard “Harold” Smith and Marshall “Red” Smith; and great-grandson, Calahan Mosby Nixon.
Surviving is his daughter, Barbara Jean Smith (Jimmy); sons, Wesley E. Smith (Shelene) and Gregory E. Smith (Sharon); grandchildren, Tyson E. Nixon (Denise), Jason Levi Powers (Crystal), Jacklyn Smith Ellis (Thomas), David Willard Powers (Roxanne), Victoria Grace Smith, Caleigh Diane Smith; great-grandchildren, Eli Wyatt Powers, Kelli Adele Powers, Gene Asher Powers, Taisley Grace Ellis, and Brandon Duncan; brothers, Roger Dale Smith (Bonnie), Ernest Prather “Pete” Smith (Denise); sister, Linda Smith Jenkins (Bill); his loving friend and companion, Brenda Staley; mother of his sons, Betsy Edwards; and his beloved dog, Red.
Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.LoflinFH.com.
Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is honored to serve the Smith family.
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