Obituary: Dennis “Dink” Smith

Kinston – Dennis “Dink” Smith passed away at his home on Friday, August 13, 2021. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday evening, August 18, at 7 PM in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Mike Pridgen officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Dennis was born February 18, 1954, here in Lenoir County to Leroy and Ramona Waller Smith. Following graduation from high school, “Dink” worked and retired from DuPont with 33 years of service. Not one to sit still, he went to work in 2008 with Neuse Regional WASA and was currently employed there. From his young age, it was evident that he loved hunting and fishing. This was passed on to him from his “Gramps”, and he, in return, has passed it on to his children and grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet Vinson Smith; son, Brian Lee Smith, and wife, Brittany, of Kinston; daughter, Holly Michelle Smith, of Garner; “Gramps” to his 3 special grandchildren, Maddox Lee, Evan Pierce and Presley Eve Smith; a special great nephew, Carter Drake Becton; sister, Debra Smith Becton, and husband, Darrel, of Kinston; brother, Rex K. Smith, and wife, Vicky, of New Bern; aunt, Brenda Waller Kelly, of Goldsboro; brother-in-law, C. Russell Vinson, and wife, Brenda, of LaGrange, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dink was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by all who knew him. Memorials may be made to Neuseway Nature Center, c/o Bobby Cox, 401 West Caswell Street, Kinston, NC 28501. Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.