Edwin B. Smith was born September 9th, 1924 in Laurel Hill, Florida to the Reverend Archie and Naomi (Steele) Smith. His parents were tenant farmers and his memoires and connection to the land remained vivid throughout his lifetime.
In 1943 during WWII, Edwin enlisted in the US Navy at 18 years of age. He was trained as a radio and radar operator as well as a gunner. After completing his schools, he was immediately sent to the Pacific Theater where he won two Air Medals for flying thirteen missions over enemy territory.
During the decommissioning of his ship in Boston after WWII, he met Petty Meyers on a blind double date on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1946. They married in September of that year and enjoyed over 73 years together.
Dad was in the Navy six years and re-enlisted in the US Air Force until he retired after 31 years of service to country. He was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. While there, he worked on the guidance system for the Minuteman, the Snark and the Bomarc missiles.
During that 31 years, he was privileged to have met and escorted various dignitaries at Cape Canaveral including Charles Lindbergh. At the time of his retirement he was the highest-ranking NCO in the Air Force.
Dad was eternally curious, and his thirst for knowledge led him to various hobbies and interests such as: electronics, singing in church choirs, photography, vegetable gardening, carpentry, fishing and traveling with Petty.
Edwin is survived by his daughter Patsy (Dave) Ross of Cocoa, Florida, son Paul (Anita) Smith of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and daughter Diane (Dan) McGee of Clara City, Minnesota, his 11 grandchildren, his 26 great grandchildren, his brother, Truett C. Smith, and his sister, Mary Urbanus. He is also survived by various nieces and nephews. Edwin was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Petty, in 2019.
Edwin was a strong Christian man and loved the Church. He was a good and faithful servant of the Lord from an early age. Dad was called home to Glory to meet Jesus face to face.
