Clinton “Clint” Heath Smith, 48, of Deep Run, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, January 15th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Clint was an active member of Deep Run Original Free Will Baptist Church and had an incredible love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a Deacon and taught Sunday school to teenagers. Clint was president of the Deep Run Ruritan Club and an active member of the North Carolina Magistrates Association.

Clint worked as a Magistrate in Lenoir County for 24 years and was currently serving as the Chief Magistrate. Prior to that, he worked as a probation and parole officer in Lenoir County. He was also a cattle farmer who loved working on the farm in his overalls while he drove his backhoe and tractor. Some of Clint’s favorite activities were spoiling his donkeys with cookies, playing with his Boxer dogs, Ziva and Gunner, eating at Fat Baby’s Country Cooking, and attending Thursday morning Bible studies. Clint also enjoyed researching Civil War history as well as his family’s genealogy. He loved reading the Bible and listening to Les Feldick and JD Farag on Bible Prophecy.

Clint was a family man who loved his family deeply. His love for his wife, Christy, and his son, Gabriel were immeasurable. Clint was on top of the world the day his son, Gabriel, was born, and was so proud when his son became a U.S. Army Soldier. Clint was a good sport and went antique shopping with his mother whenever she called and helped Colby whenever she needed him.

Clint was preceded in death by his father, W.E. “Billy” Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Christy Moody Smith and son, William “Gabriel” Smith. He is also survived by his mother, Donna Heath Smith of Deep Run, sister Colby Smith and partner Kristen of Goldsboro and many special aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friend John Jarman for whom he was a caregiver.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Howard-Carter Funeral Home in Kinston from 6-8pm. The funeral will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Deep Run Original Free Will Baptist Church at 11am with burial following in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and family at the home of Donna Smith in Deep Run.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions can be made to Deep Run Original Free Will Baptist Church in care of Bill Hawkins, 3556 Mark N. Smith Rd., Deep Run, NC 28525.

Clint will be sorely missed by his family, friends, co-workers, and community. We have lost and Heaven has gained a genuinely fine Christian man.